Four years ago, I met many of these graduates in their first New Saint Andrews course, Latin. It was quite a diverse class and I still remember seeing the fear and anticipation in their eyes. My first job was to make them feel at home in this new community of fast paced study and learning.
These students had to make many adjustments in that first year. For example, it can be quite a shock to find the limits of your abilities, after you have grown accustomed to being the top student in your homeschool.It was our job as faculty to push these students to their limits and teach them how to go further, to think more deeply, reason more consistently, and express truth more clearly and convincingly. This meant that they had to trust us when we asked them to do things that were difficult, at times seemed excessive, and that did not always come naturally.
In response to such demands these graduates honored us by humbling themselves and trusted our judgment.I remember when this class finished their first year of Latin, (which was the first foreign language for many of them.) I couldn’t have been more proud. Not only did they work through the grammar more quickly than many colleges and universities, but they did so cheerfully. Yet now I find myself in the position of being more proud of them as they are about to graduate.But before they do, I would like to slip in one more grammatical study.
Today, we are performing this ceremony to show these graduates how proud we are of their achievements and accomplishments. I find the phrase “we are proud of you”, interesting on a number of fronts. It seems a little backwards. The subject is first person plural. But why should we take pride in something they accomplished? Although there is some truth to this (since their achievements do reflect well on their instructors and supporters), I think we are really saying that we esteem their performance, basically saying “Well done.” This meaning is also supported by the diplomas that we will be awarding today.
This piece of paper has more value than the many others we have handed out in various classes. It is a seal of our esteem and pride in their accomplishment. But this raises a type of question that all New Saint Andrews students have grown accustomed to ask, “Is it Biblical?” Is this pride is Biblical.
Often we see pride or boasting presented in the Bible as having a negative connotation. It was pride that caused Satan to fall. Selfish pride was at the heart of man’s first sin. Paul tells us to boast only in the lord.This negative connotation involves having an excessively high opinion of ones self-worth or importance. The evil one has been lying since the beginning and he began by arrogantly lying to himself. Adam and Eve followed suit seeking more than was offered in the Garden, and Paul, when he says only to boast in the Lord, was arguing against Jews who had an over inflated or misplaced view of what their bloodline and use of the law accomplished.So how is it right for us to feel proud and boast in these students when our boasting should be in the Lord only?
The Apostle Paul felt such boasting was justified in 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 which reads, “For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.” The apparent paradox of Paul saying to only boast in the Lord yet also boasting in the Thessalonians can be solved, if we do not separate the Lord from his work. Paul can boast in the Thessalonians because they are Lord’s workmanship built up and knit together by the indwelling spirit.So even though these graduates are flesh and blood, we may boast in them, for they are God’s workmanship created for good works. We can thank God for them and the good work they have accomplished.
In this age that exalts the cerebral over all, it is too easy to think of the gospel merely as a set of propositions or spiritual laws. To truly boast in the Lord we must also appreciate and esteem his continuing work in us. Paul presents the gospel not merely as propositions but includes people, for we are Chirst’s reward which he purchased and maintains through his spirit. So, using the language of the Apostle Paul, we your instructors, your parents, and friends say “You are our glory and joy.” We are proud of you, and by boasting in you we boast in the Lord, who has faithfully guided you to this graduation platform, and will continue with you as you move on to greater callings.We can ensure that our boasting is Biblical if we surround it with humility. Just as these graduates honored us by humbling themselves and trusting that we were teaching them correctly and trusting that the Lord would preserve them. Now we can honor them by trusting that they will not merely rest upon their laurels but that the Lord will continue to preserve them and use our boasting as an encouragement to spur them onto greater glory.
At these points that mark achievement is easy to shift our focus from honoring to expectation. Some of the graduates already have immediate plans, others are just catching their breath. As they will have to adjust to new settings, let us truly honor them by showing that we have all confidence and though some may not know their immediate future, the peace of God which surpasses understanding will guard our hearts. As God has answered our prayers from their application to graduation we have reason to trust that He will continue to answer our prayers that their love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so they may approve what is excellent. Thus they will live up to the title of a New Saint Andrews graduate.
Normally, commencement speeches present the graduates with a memorable jewel of profundity to guide them into the future. This is good, but no matter how memorable or profound, inevitably, it will be forgotten. So I would like to direct our attention to the graduates as the visible fruit of God’s faithfulness. They are the day’s profound jewel and through this ceremony and attendant celebrations we will make this day an unforgettable experience for them.Today is a good day. It is a day to stop and take measure of God’s blessings to us. As these graduates have visibly displayed their appreciation to us over the past four years, it is time for us to return the favor. So as we depart from this ceremony make sure that you shower these graduates with praise. Make it as visible as possible, tell them how proud you are, don’t neglect the repeated handshakes and hugs or the flowers and cards. This is a day for bountiful boasting.
So with all thanks to the Lord let our compliments flow, and let us start by showing them our pride in their job well done.
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Bountiful Boasting