From: Ben Kelley
Subject: Bragging rights
In my home state of Alabama, whoever wins the football
game between Auburn University and the University of Alabama gains the
"bragging rights" for an entire year, until
the teams meet again. The rivalry is so big that it seems like the state
name changes, when "my" team wins, to become "the state of
Auburn", no longer the State of Alabama Bragging rights that say, "we are the best, we are
special" are purchased here every 12 months
It seems all people have an inclination to brag
about their own personal attributes, associations, or
possessions. A few examples might be: "I'm proud to be an American',
I'm an Auburn fan", "I live in the ( ) neighborhood", "my child
is on the 'honor roll' this year", "I drive a ( )." You
may call it bragging, boasting, glorying, pride, etc., whatever you call
it, these things somehow give us a feeling of
being "special."
The Bible has much to say about bragging. When it is
pictured as being personal (bragging about self), it is called
sin and we are told to humble ourselves. "Pride goeth
before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall," we are told
in Proverbs 16:18. 1 Peter 5:6 tells us to: "humble yourselves under
the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time."
All the things we normally brag about are temporary, in other
words, they don't last, therefore they are not really true. If our
team wins, this time, sooner or later they will lose. If the car we drive
is brand new, it will age. If we have the "best looks," someone better
looking will come around. All the "best" things related to this
life will eventually be "bettered." God doesn't want us bragging
on things that aren't true," things that can never truly make us
"special." His Word says this:
"Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man
glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let
him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, (our pride is to be in knowing Him as our Father)
That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in
the earth. For in these I delight,' says the Lord."
(Jeremiah 9:23-24 MKJV) and
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the
cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me,
and I unto the world. (Galatians 6:14)
All of the "special" things listed in these verses, as is true
of all the world, are subject to passing away. The only thing that
truly makes us special, and can never be "bested," is that we know God
experientially in His lovingkindness, and HE knows us in that love.
We, as believers made new and eternal in and through the
love of God, do have the bragging rights, but it's not about
us, it's about Him. "Not unto us, O Lord, not
unto us,
But to Your name give glory, Because of
Your mercy, Because of Your truth." (Psalm 115:1) You
are special, you are God's own
child!! Praise GOD!!!
Ben