the one whom the Lord commends

2 Cor. 10

For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present. vs. 10-11
I write such godly sounding things in letters, but I know too well my own failings in actually living up to the standards I claim to believe and pursue. There is, however, great value in a consistent life. Lord, make of my life such!

Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. vs. 12
Comparing myself to others is, of course, wrong. I must compare myself to something, though. A right comparison is against that which God holds me to. I know what He wants of me, but am I doing it? Am I fulfilling the purposes He has laid out for me?

But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, ?to reach even to you. vs. 13
I must find joy and fulfillment (in a proper sense) in the work that God has assigned to me. Others may do other things, but I am held responsible for using my life, years, months, weeks, days, hours, minutes, and seconds in the occupations that God has given to me. I am not required to change the world. I am only required to influence the sphere that the Lord has placed me into. And the first sphere is my own life. Am I disciplining myself for the Lord’s glory? Or am I bringing shame on His name by lazily meandering through life?

Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. vs. 17-18
Furthermore, though a disciplined life is fulfilling, the ultimate goal is to glorify the Lord. His glory is all that matters. If I lose this view, I will have no basis for diligence and the pursuit of excellence.

All temporal pleasures are nothing compared to the joy of being commended by God.
I must ask not if others think well of me, but if God is pleased with me.
Am I content with looking alright to my friends while ignoring the knowledge of various shortcomings in my own life? What am I going to do about it?