Why should believers not glory as though they had not received what they have?
Believers should not glory as though they had not received because everything they have and are comes only by God's grace. They accomplished nothing of themselves, so they have nothing to boast about. Any good in their lives is received from God.
Les explains that as believers, we are what we are and have what we have only by the grace of God. We can never puff up our chest and say, 'Look what I've accomplished,' because we have accomplished nothing of ourselves. The Scripture says, 'You didn't have anything except what you received. And if you did receive it, why do you glory as though you hadn't received it?' In plainer English, why glory over something you didn't even have anything to do with? Whenever we get an inkling that we're somebody special, we should knock that thought down, because we are nothing except what God has let us become—all based on His grace. Les notes he doesn't deserve three meals a day or any of the good things of life, but he has them because God's grace has permitted it.
For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
More Questions
What does it mean in 1 Corinthians 4:7 to glory as though you had not received it?
Paul's argument is that if you received everything you have, it is inconsistent to glory as though you had not received it, since you had nothing to do with obtaining it.
Why can't a believer boast about what they have accomplished?
Every believer is what they are and has what they have only by the grace of God, so no one can legitimately boast about their own accomplishments.
Why can't Christians boast about their accomplishments?
Believers cannot puff up their chest and boast about their accomplishments, because they have accomplished nothing of themselves.