“This is what the Lord says: ‘Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me,…’” (Jeremiah 9:23-24a)
Do you remember when you put your trust in Jesus as your Savior and Lord? (If you haven’t, now would be the right time to do just that!). At that time, you were born again. One of the benefits that comes with that is the ability to understand spiritual things. Paul affirms this. “For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us” (1 Corinthians 2:11-12). He goes on to say, “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16b).
God, by His Spirit within us, has given us the supernatural ability to know Him! Man’s wisdom, strength, and riches are all temporary – pertaining to this world. Knowing God not only has earthly benefits but also eternal ramifications. In fact, it is the very key to eternal life. “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3).
Knowing God is a tremendous privilege and a continuing responsibility. We realize what a privilege it is from the words that Jesus gives. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day” (John 6:44). It is God who draws us to Himself. He opened our understanding so we would perceive and receive the good news of salvation through Jesus. You are in a privileged minority. “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
Knowing God is a continuing responsibility. Knowing God is having a personal relationship with Him that must continually be cultivated and nurtured. John 15 reminds us of the discipline of remaining in Him. This cultivation means we must keep a humble spirit that is evidenced in the absence of boasting about ourselves. Spiritual pride can creep into my life when I start thinking and believing that “I did this” instead of “God has enabled me to do this.” Keeping a spirit of humility comes from a consistent prayer life. Paul Billmeyer wrote, “Prayerlessness is confidence in oneself.” When I pray I become aware that “I can do all things…THROUGH HIM WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH!”
In conclusion, I would like to make a boast. It is found in the words of Paul, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31).