Scripture
"Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me." (Romans 15: 17-18)
Observation
Paul’s life was spent spreading the Gospel all over the place, and this one mindset rooted in humility and submission to the will of God is what I believe propelled him to reach so many. In his mind, he didn’t do a thing...it was all God.
Yet I’m sure there were many who quickly claimed Paul’s ministry as a victorious success. Some may have believed it was Paul’s efforts that changed the world. If he lived today, my guess is that he’d be on all the talks shows, have numerous best-selling books and speak to full stadiums of people. He’d have tons of likes and followers hanging on every word he wrote or said!
Yet Paul didn’t want or need any of that. He simply wanted to be used. He refused to speak of anything except of what Jesus and the Holy Spirit was accomplishing through him.
Application
There’s a line in a song called “Boasting” that sums up Paul’s message to the Romans regarding sanctification and his evangelistic ministry…
Glory was solely meant for you.
Doing what no one else could do.
With All I have to give
I'll use my life, I'll use my lips
I'll only glory in your Word.
What gift to me I don't deserve.
I'll live in such a way that it reflects to you
- Lecrae
Humility. It’s easy to say “it’s all Jesus” as you point up the heavens. But to truly have a heart that is content to serve an audience of one, to boast in Jesus and Him alone and not of self or the “names” you know takes a whole lot of humility.
On the flip side, we need to seize opportunities to give glory to God! When the world recognizes the efforts of His church, we need to stand, arise and claim that victory…but only IN THE NAME OF JESUS. We need to stop being ashamed, stop playing Christ followers and become bold and boisterous Christ victors as he moves and shakes things.
Additionally, we can’t let successes or victory’s be our motivation. We can’t just expect fruitfulness because of God’s promises. Yes, He’s done it and He’ll do it again, but our stewardship of His faithfulness needs to match our trust in His faithfulness. It’s like the sports team fan base that has won championships for years on end, where greatness becomes normalized, wins aren’t celebrated unless it’s a blowout, and it’s championship or bust year after year. Where the expectation of victory supersedes the source of victory. We succeed only because Jesus allows it. He allows it because we live lives completely devoted to him.
Prayer
Jesus, we can plant and sow, but it is only through You that we will bear good fruit. May I be bold in my faith and humble in my boldness. If I boast, I boast in You and all You have done in my life. Humble I stand, humble I bow.
