Boasting

Welch now tells us that boasting in another's accomplishments is not arrogance, but enjoying the success of others.  The interesting point about this is, that when we boast in this way, shame doesn't go with us.  So now he encourages us to do a little boasting (p. 301).

Boasting in our Weakness

Once again Welch leads us to Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:21-30 so that we might recognize boasting in a unique way.  First he describes himself as a Hebrew, Abraham's descendant making himself recognized as being in the "in" group, but then his boasting seems to go downhill.  It wasn't about HIMSELF, it was about the GOSPEL.  Paul now boasted in his physical weakness that came because of his association with Christ.  Welch tells us that very few can boast like Paul did, but we can all boast in our weakness as something that reminds us that we need help.

"Help" is one of the basic human responses we can have, Welch tells us.  He describes it as the essence of faith, prayer and a direct assault on shame's tendencies to hide and self-protect.  Not asking for help pushes us further into isolation.  Asking for help puts us among the honourable -- Help is the first thing we ask the LORD, and Thank you is the second thing we say, over and over and over... (p. 304).

Boasting in other People

Another way to boast is to promote the honour of other people and this time Welch points us to Philippians 2:20-22 to show how Paul promotes Timothy.  Exodus 20:16 tells us to enhance our neighbour's reputation.  It is like a cycle -- we are honoured so we want to honour others.  God honours us, we honour Him and other people.  It's an irresistible cycle since we treat others the way we have been treated.  The more human we become the more natural it is to care for others (Rom 12:10).  Jesus reveals to us what the human condition truly is, what God intended it to be.  Once honoured by the Servant, we voluntarily take the lower position and Serve. (p. 305) (Mk 9:35; 1 Cor 9:19; Mt 23:11; Mt 20:27; Php 2:3; Gal 5:13)

Welch then give some ideas of how we can be servants -- pray for blessing in someone's life, confess your own times of not wanting the best for someone, spread good news about someone, find ways to show respect, learn about someone...  Look at the ways God has served us in Christ, pray for a servant heart...

The corollary to the rule when you receive honour from God, so now give honour, is when you give honour, you receive honour -- that's the fruit.  See how God lifts you up, and keep the cycle going (p. 307)

Boasting in the LORD

This is boasting at its best says Welch (Jer 9:23-24).

• Speak to the King about His greatness -- study who He is so you can do this better, use the Psalms as examples, recognize that as you personally see His greatness, this is the way to despise shame.  Look where you are because you belong to THE KING, which makes you RADIANT (Ps 34:5)
• Speak about the King -- speak about Him in your personal relationships.  Let people know you are associated with Him through your words and actions.  Pray, and ask others to pray for you, that we would know Jesus in such a way, that we HAVE to speak! (Ps 96:11-13)
• Obey the King -- simple obedience is also boasting of our King.  Disobedience says that we are more worthy and valuable than God.  When we sin we hold God in contempt (Num 14:11).  Pray that we might obey, say Thank you to Him, confess the ways we dishonour Him, enjoy obedience especially when no one else sees it (Eph 6:5-6).  Let's be voluntary servants living to please our master and extend His fame 

Welch finishes this chapter with the prayer, "May the Lord give us success as we set out to honour and boast about Him. (p. 313)