Boasting in Christ

I've been thinking about that line for quite a

while. I think mainly because when I hear the

word "boasting" it brings about certain words

like arrogance or pride. With these popping out

in my noggin, I was curious as to thinking why

does Paul use this word to describe what he has.

When you boast about something, you flaunt it

around, showing everyone what special thing you

had. Is this what Paul was trying to do? Show off

Christ?

I don't think show-off describes anything about what

Paul was trying to say. I wish I knew the Greek word

that he uses, but I'll try to interpret what I believed it

to be.

Boasting in Christ was a way to tell people, "Hey, I have

this wonderful gift, and I want to share it with you." It

wasn't "Hey, I'm better than you because I have this gift,"

but it was more of compassion and loving way. If you had

the best candy in the world and you have a bag full, you

boast it by saying "This is some really good candy I have,

and you should have some!" (Maybe this analogy doesn't

do justice to what I'm trying to say).

That's what boasting is for Paul. He wants people to know

how precious of a gift he has to the point where he wants

to share it. I want that same boasting in my life to tell

people of who Christ is. That same passion that Paul has

so that I will not be ashamed of what I believe in.