Praised by God #6—Approved Commendation

It is not the individuals who commend themselves who are approved, but the person the Lord commends. 2 Corinthians 10:18

Self-condemnation and self-commendation are both unwise. When we condemn ourselves, we imply that Jesus’ death for us was inadequate. But God raised him from the dead to prove that it was. So if God does not condemn those who are united to Christ because they have pledged and maintained allegiance to him, who are we to contradict him? Confession and repentance are the appropriate responses when we feel guilty after experiencing a temporary failure of faithfulness. Then God is faithful to Christ’s sacrifice, and he is righteous when he forgives us. Self-condemnation is wrong; so is self-commendation. When we commend ourselves, we compare ourselves to others, judge and disapprove of what we see, and applaud ourselves as being superior. But since we don’t know another person’s heart, we can only discriminate based on outward appearances. Determining someone’s adequacy before God this way risks gross misunderstanding; for “all of our ways seem right in our own opinion, but Yahweh evaluates our motives.” Even if we only “measure ourselves by ourselves and compare ourselves with ourselves, we lack understanding.” Is there an appropriate way to commend ourselves without patting ourselves on the back? Yes, but it does not involve saying anything about ourselves. Like Paul and his team, we can pour ourselves out in love for Christ’s cause and for the benefit of everyone around us. Then the Lord will make it clear that he approves of us and stands together with us as he makes us adequately sufficient for the tasks before us.

Discerning God, keep me safe from these two self-inflicted wounds so I may experience your approval and commendation.