Love Does Not Boast

What is love?  The definition of love is found only once in the Bible: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.  It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).  Let’s continue to give ourselves a biblical “love” test by looking closely at the words and phrases used to describe love. The fourth biblical descriptor of love is “does not boast.” The only boasting a Godly love does is in the Lord.  He alone is worthy of all praise. A lover of Jesus has nothing to boast about.  All comes from Jesus.  Even salvation is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9).  All else in life is a grace gift. If we could earn salvation, God would never not hear about it.  We’d boast forever of our works that earned our salvation. Boasting centers on self.  Praise and worship center on God. How are you doing with the fourth part of God’s love test?  Do you brag on your accomplishments or do you humbly give thanks to the One who has provided all?  Indeed, giving thanks is the opposite of boasting. Before you answer, just remember: Ego is the opposite of love.  And the best definition of ego I’ve ever heard is Edging God Out.  I think now you are ready to answer. “Love does not boast…”