Misplaced Confidence

We who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort.

Philippians 3:3

THE APOSTLE PAUL WAS a superstar in his previous life as Saul the Pharisee—all the right connections and credentials. Just listen to his qualifications and accomplishments:

Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.

Philippians 3:4-6

Paul was the man! But it didn’t matter. And as far as God’s Kingdom goes, it doesn’t matter for us, either. Whether we have the right background, have been to all the right schools, have the right job and make the right amount of money, God doesn’t measure success as the world does. He doesn’t measure it “according to the flesh” (Romans 8:5, HCSB). And because God isn’t impressed with what we have and what we can do in our own strength, we shouldn’t be either.

Paul came to view success in a different way.

I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.

Philippians 3:7-8

Where do you find your value? What do you value most?

BOTTOM LINE

Our culture lauds self-admiration, and it can seem so right. But it isn’t, because it places self at the center rather than Christ. Focus your attention on Him.

Moment of Strength: Philippians 3