Galatians 6:4
“But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting, but to himself alone, and not to another.”
Galatians 6:4
"But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting, but to himself alone, and not to another."
This passage clears things up about our skills. I can recall as a young christian how I would respond to compliments. I would say, "It's the Lord." This felt strange. I would feel guilty if I didn't say this.
We addressed part of this topic the other day. John 15:5 added to the confusion, "I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." I assumed the last phrase, "for apart from Me you can do nothing" was referring to everything we do. Not so. This verse is saying that we need to trust Jesus for salvation and living a godly life, not every little action. Sure God has the credit for blessing me, but I didn't have to say, "God's good" to every compliment.
Today's passage says we are to have a correct view of ourselves. He's given us all particular talents and skills. Some are athletic and shine in those areas. Some are academic and get high grades. Once out of school we get jobs and we seek to excel there. Some are handy and create, repair and decorate. Some are social and are fun or warm and are loved by others. A wise person knows their skills and invests there.
We are to feel good about our skills. That is the spirit of today's passage. The reference to boasting means we are to feel so good about those gifts that we celebrate them. This is what our culture calls self esteem. God wants us to have good ones.
Having a good self esteem doesn't mean we do this boasting to others. We celebrate to ourselves and possibly to our loved ones, but not to others. This creates envy and unhealthy competition. Galatians 5:26 says, "Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another." This is the bragging that nobody likes.
We can share our triumphs with our loved ones as long as it doesn't create envy. These are the ones that celebrate us and are happy to hear it. We all should have our inner circle. I heard a speaker call them balcony people. Like those in the balcony section cheering on the band.
Coming full circle we do realize that God created us and did give us our talents. So I will say God's good and feel it's right at particular complements. He is the ultimate balcony person. David said in Psalm 23, "Thou preparest a table for me..." This is an honor banquet for us.
Lord, thank You for the skills you've given us. Help us to have a proper view of ourselves.