Twin City church of Christ Blog
“Nov 12, 2024 - Confidence in the Flesh”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsConfidence in the Flesh
Reading: Philippians 3:1-6
Paul has a warning about a group that promotes a dangerous mentality: “Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh”(Phil 3:2-3). He is probably referring to Judaizing teachers who emphasize the need for circumcision for salvation (“mutilate the flesh”). Disciples of Jesus are different; we are the circumcision because we put no confidence in the flesh. We do not rest on our accomplishments, good works, or lineage. Our confidence is not in ourselves.
Yet this is the mentality that Judaizing teachers spread and Paul is well-acquainted with it because of his past. “If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless”(Phil 3:4-6). It reads like a resume. These are Paul’s well-rehearsed credentials and reason for boasting. He is properly circumcised, a native Israelite, a Pharisee by training and temperament, zealous to a fault, and with no accusations of lawbreaking. There is a lot to be confident about here. Yet “whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ”(Phil 3:7). Jesus changed everything. When we follow Jesus, we “glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh”(Phil 3:3).
We all have unique talents and attributes. Some of us have impressive bloodlines. Some have a long history of righteous living. Our world encourages us to build this type of moral resume, justifying to others why we are worthy to be praised or heard. Yet when we come to Jesus, it is no longer about us. All our accomplishments go in the garbage (they are “rubbish,” Phil 3:8). Even in my best moments, I cannot save myself or atone for my own sins. My confidence now is in what Jesus has done for me.
-----------
One Thing to Think About: How am I tempted to have confidence in myself?
One Thing to Pray For: Awareness of my tendency to trust myself rather than Jesus
