Commended & Approved

2 Corinthians 10:12, 18

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.

¹⁸ For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

 

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The Lord has the final say.  When people commend themselves for what they do, as Paul said, they are not wise.  They are gauging themselves with their own selves; that does not count.  As people, we really have nothing to boast about – not our degrees, not our knowledge, not our offerings, not our ministry (whom the Lord himself appoints and gives for us to do solely for His purpose and glory); it is only the Lord who has the final say.

Now, since the Lord has the final say, we don’t need to worry about what people think (their judgments and criticisms) towards what we do.  It is the Lord who has the final say.  In the same way, we have no right to judge or criticize others for what they do for the Lord either for it is God who has the final say.  Whether people boast or commend themselves for what they do, on our end, we ought to just let the Lord have His final say.

As for us, we ought to just remain faithful as we ought to.  The Lord commends and that’s what is truly approved.  Not on what men approves. Even ourselves to ourselves. 

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It is not what I do or what I have that makes me approved in the eyes of everyone.  It is the Lord that commends and approves.  Even if people say I am this or that, it is still the Lord that commends and approves; their approval must not puff me up but build me up for the glorification of God.  I ought to keep a clear conscience before God whom approves and commends everything in and about me.  If others commend and approves me, let it be because as long as I am faithful to the Lord, I know their commendation and approval is an extension and manifestation of God’s approval and commendation. 

I know that all that God commends and approves of me is because He is delighted in it.  I OUGHT TO BE FAITHFUL and PLEASE HIM IN ALL THINGS BOTH IN AND OUT (what people see and don’t see in their naked eye).  On the other hand, I ought not to be bogged down when people don’t approve or commend me for they do not see the whole picture either.  As long as I know and confirmed that I am doing what God wills for me to do, no judgment or criticism should affect my works in any way.  But I know even with this, it could discourage and bring me down.  I will not allow it, in Jesus’ name.

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Lord, thank you because You are the reason of my living.  Nothing in this world can satisfy nor provide me any form of eternal and everlasting satisfaction.  Only IN YOU.  Please give me the strength and to grab that strength that I may be faithful in all the I am before You.  Forgive me for being selfish; for taking those commendations and approval wrongly at times.  Please cleanse my heart and help me to only be commendable and approved because of YOU.  More of You and none of me!  Thank You Lord for Your love.  I love You and help me to show that love to You with Your power and strength because I am only frail.  I offer my life to You in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior, Amen!