It Ain’t Bragging If You Can Do It

Dizzy Dean predicted in 1934 that he and his brother (Paul ‘Daffy’ Dean) would win 45 games for the St. Louis Cardinals.  They won 49 games and the Cardinals won the World Series.  This was the ‘Gas house gang’ Cardinals and Dizzy said before the season that ‘it ain’t bragging if you can back it up.’

The London Olympics have just concluded and Usain Bolt from Jamacia was one of the most spectacular athletes in the games.  He is also one of the most outspoken when referring to his ability.  As much as I enjoy great athletic performances, there is something refreshing about  a great performer like Emmett Smith who played for the Dallas Cowboys.  He was an outstanding running back for Dallas, but he was never a showboat.

There is something in the human psyche that causes us to want to be prideful/boastful.  As a young boy on the cotton farm in New Home, Texas, I hoed a lot of weeds.  One day, I made a bargain with my Dad.  I petitioned him for some wages.  He offered me two bits an hour.  That sounded like a lot of money for a 12 year old, and it certainly was better than nothing.  So, I worked as a hoe hand for $.25 an hour for the rest of the summer.  At the end of the week when Dad paid me, I put the quarters in a drawer in my room.  I was so proud of the drawer full of change in my room.  It represented my hard work.  It was a source of pride.  It was a reason for boasting about what I had earned with my hard work.  

There is a place for boasting within Christianity.  Paul refers to it in I Corinthians 1:30-31.  ‘Christ Jesus has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”’  Our reason for boasting as Christians is Jesus—our Redeemer.  It is sad to see many approach their relationship with God like I did with my Dad in the cotton field.  The idea of earning my righteousness before God by my goodness is completely foreign to Christianity.  Our standing with God is based completely upon the merit of Christ—what He has done for us.  By His righteousness, we are made righteous.  AND, we can boast in Him.

‘He paid a debt He did not owe, I owed a debt I could not pay, I needed Someone to wash my sins away.  And now, I sing a brand new song Amazing Grace, Christ Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay.’

PRAYER:  Father, thank you for Jesus’ sacrifice.  Thank you that He is my source of confidence and boasting.   

Terry Brown
Abilene, Texas