SATURDAY September 21, 2024

No Confidence in the Flesh

...though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Philippians 3:4-6

The Philippian church was being infiltrated by Judaizers––false teachers. They were trying to seduce them into legalism. They falsified everything that Paul had taught them––salvation through faith in Christ. They taught that if a person was not circumcised, they were not saved. They insisted that the only way to receive salvation was by keeping the Law of Circumcision, but this would bring them back into bondage and condemnation.

Legalism is such a danger to the Church. It can destroy people’s faith in Christ. Think about it. It would be the same as telling someone that unless they were baptized, they were not saved––wrong! If this was the case, and salvation was gained through our works, we would have bragging sessions. There is nothing for us to brag about––it is all of God and none of us. Salvation is received by faith in Jesus Christ––period.

In reasoning with the Philippians on this point, Paul began to recall his standing as a Jew before he came to Christ. If anyone could boast, it was him! He was a Hebrew, from the tribe of the Benjamin, circumcised on the eighth day. He was an elite member of the Jewish community––a Pharisee. He was taught under Gamaliel, a leading Pharisee well-versed in Jewish Law. Paul kept the Law; He persecuted the Church, and he had every reason to place his confidence in his flesh––in all these accolades.

However, as a Christian, Paul rejoiced in the fact that he no longer had any confidence in his Jewish heritage or his zealous, self-righteous life. He knew he could no longer trust in any of these things to establish his own righteousness before God. Jesus became his righteousness! You have to trust in Jesus Christ for your salvation, not in your good works.

Faith wraps itself in the righteousness of Christ.
~Thomas Brooks~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!