Author: Will

Romans 15:26 – Cheerful Giving

Posted on by Will

For those from Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.

Truth to Learn

Christians are to give freely to support the church and to help other Christians in financial need.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “poor” in the current verse is the Greek word ptochous, which refers to “someone in abject poverty, utter helplessness, or complete destitution.” In other words, the Christians in Jerusalem to whom Paul was taking the money were not poor, as in unfortunate, they were without money.

 

Meaning Explained

Paul was going to travel to Jerusalem before heading to Rome on his way to Spain. The purpose of that trip was to take a contribution for the Christians in Jerusalem. The main church in Achaia (southern Greece) was the church at Corinth. To this church Paul sent a couple of letters teaching them to overcome some of the doctrinal errors that were creeping into their congregation. What they didn’t need teaching about, though, was how to give willingly. Here’s what Paul told them:

Now there is noneed for me to write to about ministering to the saints; for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up most of them. (2Corinthians 9:1-2)

Paul also told these Corinthians about the generosity of the church in Macedonia (northern Greece):

Moreover, brothers, we want you to know about the grace of God given to the churches of Macedonia: that in a severe test of affliction the abundance of their joy and their extreme poverty abounded in the riches of their generosity. For I testify that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, begging us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. (2Corinthians 8:1-4)

Both of these churches were eager to help the Church in Jerusalem and may even have been spurred on by Paul through a little friendly competition. These “poor” Christians in Jerusalem were most likely Jews who had been converted through the preaching of the apostles in the days following the outpouring of the Spirit of God at Pentecost. But because most of the Jews in Jerusalem refused to believe, they persecuted members of the church, even beating and stoning them. In the beginning of the eighth chapter of the book of Acts, Luke recorded how Saul of Tarsus persecuted Christians. This Saul of Tarsus later became the Apostle Paul who has written this letter.

According to Acts 20:22, Paul felt bound by the Spirit of God to make this trip to Jerusalem. It’s quite possible that his reason for wanting to minister to the saints in Jerusalem may also have been out a sense of guilt for what he had done to the Church in Jerusalem many years earlier.

 

Application

God has gifted some saints with the ability to give generously and freely. Not all of us have that gift, but that doesn’t release the rest of us from our responsibility to give. According to 2Corinthians 9:7, we are not to give grudgingly or out of necessity. God loves a cheerful giver! Do you give out of joy?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 15:25 – God’s Saints

Posted on by Will

But now I am going to Jerusalem ministering to the saints.

Truth to Learn

All Christians are saints.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “ministering” should be a familiar word to us by now. It is the Greek word diakoneō, a verb meaning “to serve or wait upon, with emphasis on the work to be done and not on the relationship between the served and the servant.”

The word translated “saints” is the Greek word hagios, which means, “holy one.” This word is believed to be derived from hagos, meaning “that which causes awe.” The root meaning of hagios is “that which is set apart from common use to the service of God.” It also carries with it the notion of ceremonial cleanliness and purity.

 

Meaning Explained

As we pointed out previously, Paul’s plan was to go to Spain and to stop by Rome on the way so that he could visit the Christians. First, though, he was planning on going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints there. We find a reference to this visit to Jerusalem and his subsequent plans to visit Rome in the book of Acts:

After these things, Paul resolved in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome." (Acts 19:21)

It is not entirely clear whether Paul meant that he had purposed in his own spirit to make this trip or whether it was the Spirit of God who was directing him in his journeys. I suspect that it was the latter. Either way, he was not planning a vacation; he was planning to “minister to the saints.” Paul was going to Jerusalem as part of his calling to work, not to relax. He was taking money from the churches in Macedonia and Achaia (both part of modern day Greece) to give to the saints in Jerusalem.

Let’s talk about the “saints” for a moment. In the New Testament this term is used frequently. It does not refer to extraordinary people who have performed miracles and have been subsequently proclaimed “saints” by the church. It refers to anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as savior. All of us who are born again Christians are saints according to the doctrines of the apostles. As we learned in the beginning chapters of this letter to the Roman Christians, when we were saved God bestowed His grace on us by proclaiming us to be righteous. In other words, in God’s record book, you and I are without sin because the blood of Christ has washed us clean. And because we now have the righteousness of Christ, legally in God’s court room we stand as holy as God, and we are set-apart for His use.

 

Application

If you’re a Christian, you’re a holy saint!

“But I don’t feel very holy!” you may say.

Fortunately, our position in God’s eyes doesn’t depend on our feelings or our actions. It depends only on God’s precious gift of grace which we didn’t, don’t, and never will deserve.

Why not get on your knees right now and thank Him for this gift of righteousness and holiness!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 15:24 – A Friendly Visit

Posted on by Will

whenever I might journey to Spain, I will come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.

Truth to Learn

Paul wanted to visit the Roman Christians on his way to Spain.

 

Behind the Words

The first occurrence of “journey” in this verse is translated from poreuomai, which is based on the noun poros, meaning “a passage way.” Thus, poreuomai means “to travel from one place to another.”

“See” is from theaomai, which means “to view attentively.” Metaphorically, it refers to a personal visit.

The second occurrence of “journey” in this verse is translated from diaporeuomai, which is made up of dia, meaning “through” and poreuomai, meaning “to travel from one place to another.” Therefore, diaporeuomai means “to travel through.”

“Helped on my way” is translated from propempō, which is made up of pro, meaning “before” and pempō, meaning “to send.” Paul expected the Roman Christians to provide him additional resources for his trip from Rome to Spain.

 

Meaning Explained

As we mentioned in the previous verse, Paul’s plan was to head into Spain after his return from Jerusalem. This was in keeping with the commission that God had given Paul to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ where people had never heard the name of Christ.

It is interesting to note that Paul’s intent was not to stay in Rome. In fact, even though he loved the saints there and wanted to fellowship with them, he was only intending to visit them during his travel through Rome as part of his greater calling. Note that he says “For I hope to see [visit] you on my travel through.” We know, however, that God had different plans for Paul. Instead of visiting Rome on his way to Spain, he was taken to Rome in order to stand trial before Caesar. This Caesar before whom he was to stand was Nero, a Christian hater who would later blame the huge fire which destroyed much of Rome on the Christians. There is some evidence that Nero actually started the fire himself so that he could build a larger palace for himself.

Once again, let us look to Paul as an example of singleness of purpose in serving God. As much as Paul wanted to go to Rome and spend time with the Christians there, he would not do so except as a necessary stop on his way to fulfilling his call. We can also look to this as an example of God’s plan often satisfying the desires that we have. I am reminded of one of the promises in Psalms:

Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalms 37:4)

There is a two-fold promise contained within this verse. If we make God our delight, that is if we seek him as a source of delight in everything that we do, then He will give us the right kind of desires to have. Not only that, but He will satisfy those very desires which He has put in our hearts.

 

Application

Where are your desires today? Are they focused on God, or are they focused on yourself or on the world? Is your delight in God or things?

That’s something to think about!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 15:23 – Desire to Serve

Posted on by Will

But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a longing these many years to come to you,

Truth to Learn

Paul followed his desires, except when God changed his plan.

 

Behind the Words

The word “now” is translated from the Greek word nuni. This word is made up of nun, meaning “now” and the letter iota which adds emphasis. Thus, it could be translated “just now.”

“Longing” is from epipothia, made up of epi, used as an intensifier, and a form of the verb potheō, meaning “to yearn” or “to desire.” Hence, epipothia indicates a strong desire.

 

Meaning Explained

Having just expressed why he had not yet gone to Rome, Paul tells the Christians there that he is now ready to go. He has finally finished his job of preaching the gospel from Jerusalem all around to Illyricum and now, finally, is at liberty to travel to Rome. In the next verse we will see that Paul’s intention was to visit the church in Rome as part of a trip to Spain, which he was apparently planning to take.

This letter was most likely written while Paul was in Corinth (around A.D. 56) just shortly before he traveled to Jerusalem with an offering for the poor members of the church there (see Romans 15:25). It is likely that Paul expected to travel to Spain after this brief return to Jerusalem. Unfortunately, what was planned as a brief trip ended up being an extended stay; he was put in a Roman prison in Caesarea due to the hatred that the Jews had for him. Though he was never found guilty of any crime, Paul was imprisoned for two years while the trials took place. At the end of this time, in an effort to prevent Governor Festus from sending him back to Jerusalem where the Jews were lying in wait to kill him, Paul appealed to Caesar and was eventually shipped off to Rome to stand trial.

Certainly these were not the circumstances under which Paul intended to travel to Rome. He nonetheless was able to go there and was, in fact, met on the way and accompanied the last day or two of his journey by members of the church at Rome. Paul’s style of loving exhortation and personal transparency comes out in this letter. This is part of the reason why the Roman Christians were so willing to extend their own efforts to comfort him in his time of distress.

We should take comfort in Paul’s distress, especially when we are faithfully serving Christ and suffering personal attacks by those who claim to be religious. Our adversary will do anything to silence our witness for Christ. So, when those attacks come (and they WILL come), remember how faithfully Paul continued steadfast in the work of the gospel, never doubting that his Lord and Savior was by his side every step of the way.

 

Application

We might wonder how Paul could maintain his drive to spread the Gospel in the face of all the opposition against him. He probably remembered the promise God gave to Joshua in Joshua 1:5 that was quoted by the writer of Hebrews:

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)

Now, that’s a promise we can all live and serve with!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 15:22 – Submitted and Committed

Posted on by Will

Because of this I also was repeatedly hindered from coming to you.

Truth to Learn

Doing God’s will often means not doing what we want to do.

 

Behind the Words

“Because of this” is from the Greek word dio. This is made up of a form of dia, meaning “for” or “through” and the relative pronoun hos, meaning “which.” So, literally, the word dio means “through which,” or “because of this.”

The word “hindered” is translated from the verb engkoptō, which is made up of en, meaning “in” and koptō, meaning “to cut.” So, literally this word means “to cut into.” Figuratively, however, it means “to impede” or “to hinder.”

“Repeatedly” is from the Greek words ta polla, which literally means “many things.” From this we know that Paul was not saying “there was a strong hindrance,” but “there were many hindrances.”

 

Meaning Explained

Paul starts off this verse with “Because of this.” So, we have to ask ourselves, “Because of what?” The answer is, “because he was so focused on preaching the gospel where Christ had not been named.” Because Paul was so intent on doing what God had called him to do, he was not able to do those things that he himself really wanted to do, like go to Rome to meet the Christians there.

As we will see in the next verse, Paul had a strong desire to travel to Rome, but because of the calling that he had from God he had thus far been prevented from traveling there. Instead, he had traveled throughout modern day Turkey and Greece, responding to God’s leading. A dramatic example of his receiving direction from God occurs in Acts chapter sixteen:

And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And coming up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them  (Acts 16:6-10)

Not only was Paul submitted to God’s lordship over him, but he was also committed to doing what God called him to do. In fact, Paul was so compelled to follow God’s calling for him that he said the following of himself in his first letter to the Christians at Corinth:

For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me. Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! (1Corinthians 9:16)

This is the kind of commitment to doing God’s will instead of his own that enabled Paul to be so powerfully used of God

 

Application

Do you want God to use you? Are you willing to do whatever He calls you to instead of what you want to do?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 15:21 – Evangelistic Tenacity

Posted on by Will

but as it is written: "Those to whom He was not announced will see; and those who have not heard will understand."

Truth to Learn

Isaiah prophesied about Gentiles believing in the Messiah.

 

Behind the Words

“Announced” is from anangellō, which is made up of ana, indicating repetition or specificity and angellō, meaning “to declare, proclaim, or announce.” Anangellō indicates a detailed proclamation or a repeated proclamation.

The word “see” is translated from a form of horaō, meaning “to see or perceive (either visually or cognitively).

“Understand” is translated from the verb suniēmi, which is made up of sun, meaning “together” and hiēmi, meaning “to send or to put.” Thus, this word literally means “to put together mentally.” In other words it means “to comprehend or to understand.”

 

Meaning Explained

Paul has been talking about being singularly focused on performing the ministry to which he was called by God, the ministry of declaring the message of salvation through the death of the Jewish Messiah, Jesus the Christ. He has demonstrated repeatedly that he was a student of the Scriptures. Here he quotes a scripture that is clearly in reference to the Messiah. Most of us can recognize one of the great messianic prophecies when we hear the beginning of Isaiah 53:

Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For He grew up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or magnificence when we see Him, no beauty that we should desire Him. (Isaiah 53:1-2)

But who of us can recognize the last three verses of the chapter immediately preceding this one?

Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted. As many were astonished at you– his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind so shall he sprinkle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand. (Isaiah 52:13-15)

Paul was keenly aware of Isaiah chapter 52 and recognized that verse fifteen was a reference to the Gentiles understanding the message about the Messiah. He may have claimed this verse as his “life verse,” the verse that defined his mission in life. Some Biblical scholars even believe that Paul understood this prophecy to be a specific reference to his own apostolic ministry. Whether or not that is so and whether or not Paul claimed this as his life verse, he nonetheless recognized that Isaiah prophesied concerning the Gentiles believing in the Messiah. He also recognized that he personally had a calling from God to preach the message to those who had never heard about salvation in Jesus Christ. Not only did he know what his calling was, but he was so focused on his calling that he did not let anything distract him from performing it.

 

Application

Oh, that we all were as clear about our calling and as tenacious in our pursuit of it!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 15:20 – Singular Ambition

Posted on by Will

And so I am eager to preach the gospel, where Christ was not named, lest I should build on another man's foundation,

Truth to Learn

All Christians are called and gifted to build the body of Christ.

 

Behind the Words

The expression “I am eager” is translated from the Greek verb philotimeomai. This word is made up of philos, meaning “a friend,” (expressing the fondness between good friends) and a form of time, meaning “honor.” Thus, we see this word literally means “a love or fondness of honor.” By application, it means “to make something an ambition” or “to aspire to something.” It is expressed here as a present participle so it might literally be translated, “making it my ambition.”

The words “preach the gospel” are from the Greek verb euangelidzō, which is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of angellō, meaning “to tell or to proclaim.” It means “to proclaim the gospel” or “to evangelize.”

“Build” is from oikodomeō, which literally means “to build a house.” The particular house that Paul is building is the body of Christ, the temple of the Holy Spirit.

 

Meaning Explained

It is clear from this verse that Paul was absolutely certain of the calling he had from God. As the apostle to the Gentiles, Paul was called to evangelize among the heathen who had not yet heard the gospel message. He said in the previous verse that he had fully preached the gospel from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum. And in the verse before that, he would take no credit for the work that that the Spirit had done through others. He now explains why.

Paul says, “And so I am eager to preach the gospel.” In other words, Paul was singularly focused on preaching the gospel, making it his greatest ambition. From the moment of his conversion he recognized God’s calling in his life, thus his ambition from that time was to proclaim the good message, or good news, about salvation through Jesus Christ.

And, he says that his ambition was to preach the good news to people who had never heard the name of Jesus Christ. His reason for doing this was because he was not called to build upon someone else’s work. God called Paul to proclaim Christ to those who had never heard the gospel and that is precisely what he wanted to do.

God has not called us all to this type of ministry. There are many different spiritual gifts that God has given to the members of the church through the Holy Spirit, and we each have a calling that is empowered by the gifts He has given us. God does not expect us all to travel to foreign lands and proclaim the gospel to those who have never heard it. Some, like Paul, are called to do that but others are specifically called to teach, to encourage, to be a helper, or to give generously from what God has blessed us with. However, we are all called to share our testimony with those around us, and we are all called to give of ourselves, our time, and our money. Where and how we do this depends on what God has called us to do and on how obedient we are willing to be.

 

Application

Do you know what God has called you to do within the body of Christ? Are you making it your singular ambition to know what that calling is and to fulfill it for God’s glory?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 15:19 – Submissive Service

Posted on by Will

in mighty signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit of God, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum.

Truth to Learn

We need to submissively serve God wherever He leads us.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “signs” is the Greek word semeion, which means “a wondrous public sign or token with a spiritual meaning and purpose.” It implies that the miracle has God’s finger prints all over it; that is, it is an amazing miracle which draws people’s attention to God.

“Wonders” is from the Greek noun teras. This is a derivative of the verb tereō, meaning “to watch, implying that, due to its extraordinary character, the thing observed causes amazement and wonder and is long remembered as a result.”

The Greek word translated “around” is kuklō, which refers to “a ring or a circle.” Metaphorically, it refers to an entire region.

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous two verses Paul confessed that he has reason to boast about what had been done in Christ Jesus through his own submission to God’s will and his own commitment to do whatever God directed him to do. His boasting, you will remember, was not in himself but in what God had done through him. He further clarified this idea by stating that he was not taking any credit for what others had done, only what had been done through him.

In the current verse Paul carries this even further by pointing out that what was done through him was not from his own efforts or his own brilliance. Rather, Paul cites the fact that it was through powerful miracles and wonders done in the power of the Spirit of God that his work was accomplished. The two words here translated as “signs and wonders” are often associated together in the New Testament. They do not refer to two different kinds of miracles but to two different aspects of these miracles.

In the second half of this verse, Paul proclaims that he has preached the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum. What he means is that he has preached the gospel in all regions, from Jerusalem, the center and origin of the Christian faith, all the way to Illyricum. Illyricum is the area west of the Black Sea and north of Greece. If you follow Paul’s three missionary journeys you will see that he had, indeed, preached all around from Jerusalem to Illyricum.

I think Paul’s point is, as I said earlier, that he has been submissive and obedient to God’s call and has been faithful in preaching the gospel wherever God has called him, which included much of the known world of his time.

 

Application

Are you willing to go wherever God calls you, and are you prepared to witness the grace of God to those around you wherever that may be? Are you willing to leave your comfort zone, your family and friends and go somewhere unknown to serve Him? Are you willing to give your all to serve Him where you are? Or, are you too comfortable with what you’re doing right where you are? God doesn’t reward comfort, He rewards submissive sacrificial service that glorifies Him!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 15:18 – Give Him Credit

Posted on by Will

For I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, in word and deed, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles.

Truth to Learn

God gets all the credit for what is accomplished through us.

 

Behind the Words

The word “dare” is translated from talmaō, meaning “to have courage or boldness, to dare.”

“Obedience” is translated from the Greek noun hupakoē, which is made up of hupo, meaning “under” and akouō, meaning “to hear.” So, literally this word means “to hear under,” that is, “someone who listens attentively to what is being taught and puts into practice what is heard.”

 

Meaning Explained

Paul has just talked about the things that he can boast about in Christ Jesus. He does not dare, or presume, to speak of those things which Christ had done through the ministry of others. He only concerns himself with the way the Lord had used him to win the Gentiles to obedience, both through what he said and through what he did, by the messages he preached and by the miracles he performed (through the Holy Spirit).

Notice that Paul is not boasting about what he personally has done but what God has done through the ministry he has been called to. If he had anything to boast about personally it would be the fact that he responded to God’s call, made himself available to God, and worked long and hard at the tasks that God called him to do. But Paul does not brag about what he has done, simply about what God has done through him. Paul recognizes that he has done nothing; God has done it all.

We could all take a lesson from Paul on this point. We tend to get puffed up about the things that we have accomplished in our ministry, not recognizing that God is the one who deserves credit for it all. One day all Christians will stand before the judgment seat of Christ:

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or evil. (2Corinthians 5:10)

Our rewards will be in the form of crowns that we will receive for the good things we have done for God in this life. We will then have the opportunity to cast those crowns at His feet in recognition of the fact that He is the one deserving of the recognition, not us:

the twenty-four elders [representing all believers] will fall down before the one sitting on the throne and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will throw their crowns before the throne, saying: "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created." (Revelation 4:10-11)

 

Application

Since we will give all the credit to God someday, let’s get in the habit now of giving Him all the credit for what we have accomplished. Our Christian works of service are all about Him, not about us. After all, He is worthy!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 15:17 – All God’s Doing

Posted on by Will

Therefore I have reason to boast in Christ Jesus in the things pertaining to God.

Truth to Learn

We should take no credit for our abilities or for what we accomplish; we should give God all the credit.

 

Behind the Words

“Boast” is translated from the Greek word kauchēsis, which means, “boasting (properly the act; by implication the objective), in a good or a bad sense.”

The phrase “in the things pertaining to God” is a technical phrase in Jewish liturgical language that refers to the functions of worship performed by a priest.

 

Meaning Explained

Paul starts out this verse with, “Therefore I have reason to boast in Christ Jesus” or as some translations have it, “Therefore I have boasting in Christ Jesus.” The immediate reaction that many of us have to this is, “But I thought that boasting and bragging were wrong!” As we see from the Greek word kauchēsis above, the boasting can be in a good sense or a bad sense. So, let’s look at what the English word “boasting” means. According to The Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Random House, Inc. 2006:

“boasting – to speak with pride. It usually refers to a particular ability, possession, etc., that may be one of such kind as to justify a good deal of pride.”

Now, if we are boasting about ourselves, it usually is called bragging, which is an act of personal pride that takes the focus off of God and puts it on self. This kind of boasting is wrong. Paul’s boasting is not about himself. In fact, he says that his boasting is “in Christ Jesus,” and his boasting is about “the things pertaining to God.” Paul is boasting about what God is accomplishing through his ministry of bringing the glorious gospel message to the Gentiles. Paul was not claiming credit for what he was accomplishing; he was giving the credit to God in the person of Jesus Christ!

This might be a good time to ask ourselves, “Am I proud of what I am, or of what I have accomplished?” If so, instead of boasting about what we have accomplished or of what we have become, we need to recognize that everything we are and everything we have are a direct result of the gifts of God, as we see regarding the skills possessed by Bezalel and Aholiab:

And Moses said to the children of Israel, "Look, the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; … And He has given the ability to teach to both him and Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with skill to do all manner of work of the engraver and designer and tapestry maker, in blue, purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and of weavers — those who do every work and those who design artistic works. (Exodus 35:30, 34-35)

All Christians have spiritual gifts, skills, and abilities that are given to them by God. We can choose to be proud of what we have or we can choose to humbly use them for His glory.

 

Application

Taking personal credit for what God has done is selfish and sinful, but giving glory to (boasting in) God for what He has given us or for what He has accomplished through us is well pleasing to Him. Which do you choose to do?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved