Anglican Devotional 5 August 2022 – Put Out Self Commendation

The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 5 August 2022 – Put Out Self Commendation

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TOPIC: Put Out Self Commendation

TEXT: 2 Corinthians 3:1-3 (NKJV)

1. Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some [others,] epistles of commendation to you or [letters] of commendation from you?
2. You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men;
3. clearly [you are] an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, [that is,] of the heart.

The MESSAGE:

The act of commending people will continue to exist as long as man lives. However, Paul must have identified self-commendation creeping into the church at Corinth and this was a bad omen. His reaction in 2Corinthians 3:1 shows that Christians must have been copying the bad habit of self-commendation. Self-commendation easily creates room for pride. The society we live in creates a lot of room for self-commendation; it has become a normal thing to publish your strength, hospitality, goodwill, success, etc. Jesus discourages Christians from this attitude. In our present world, self-commendation may be a show of pride and may also not be sincere.

Christians are not to live like people in the world who sing self-praises. Publishing of miracles is becoming the order; many take pleasure in publishing their strength, ability and wealth. Jesus Christ spoke to discourage the act of showing to the public, the good deeds we do. “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matt. 6:3). Self-commendation easily breeds pride and encourages deceit. Christians are to live by lifting their successes to God’s glory. Paul, a great evangelist, seldom praised himself. Jesus never did for once praise Himself. Let God and others praise you, do not do it for yourself and never ask for it.

PRAYER: And whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he that humbled himself shall be exalted” Amen.