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Vainglory |
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Vainglory,
as the word itself indicates, is a vain glory, therefore we must see that we
do not glory in vain. You may ask: ‘Could you tell me how a believer can
glory in vain?’ Here is the answer: if a believer glories in his riches (because
he has got much money and many houses etc.), or in his physical strength
(because he can lift big weights), or in his own wisdom (because he has
studied some particular scientific subjects for many years, or he has some
degrees, or he received some academic acknowledgements), etc. he glories in
vain. For God commands us not to glory in these things, as it is written:
“Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let
the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches”
(Jeremiah 9:23). To glory in being a Jew by birth or a descendant of one of
the twelve patriarchs such as Judah, Benjamin, and Levi is to glory in vain, for
Paul – who was a Jew according to the flesh and a descendant of Benjamin -
wrote to the Philippians: “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh.
If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I
more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of
Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is
in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss
for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency
of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss
of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be
found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but
that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God
by faith” (Philippians 3:4-9). |
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However,
while on the one hand we are not allowed to glory in certain things, on the
other hand we are allowed to glory in other things, for God said through
Jeremiah: “But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and
knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and
righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah
9:24). In other words, it is a right thing to glory in the Lord, that is to say,
to glory in having received intelligence from God, to glory in knowing God or
rather in being known by God. In addition to this, it is a right thing to
glory in having been reconciled to God through faith in Christ, as it is
written: “We also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom
we have now received the reconciliation” (Romans |
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Brothers,
let us not become vainglorious, provoking and envying each other. |