I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast. You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or pushes himself forward or slaps you in the face. (2 Corinthians 11:16-20)Verses 16-20 of this chapter has Paul boasting about his sufferings. He is not boasting as the world boast about wealth, power, and prestige but rather about his hardships. Even though in these verses Paul seems to contradict the word of God by boasting, it is clearly seen that it is something different. He says in verse 30 " If i must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness". This is what we all need to learn in our lives. If there is anything that we should boast about, it is about how God has made his strength perfect in our weaknesses. Its not about what we have done with our human abilities, which isn't much, but rather what God has done for us and through us. The point that Paul was trying to get across is that we are nothing with out God's grace and every praise belongs to him. He is worthy of everything. We need to learn to discipline our minds and pride and submit it all to God.
By Sam Kurien
Activity For The Day - Decode The Message
