TUESDAY January 11, 2022

Confidence in Christ

...rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have 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 3:3-6

Paul rejoiced in Jesus Christ for the simplicity of the Gospel message. He rejoiced in the fact that he no longer had any confidence in the flesh. The word flesh was in reference to Paul’s old nature––the man he used to be. He could not place his confidence in anything to do with his old life: his credentials as a Pharisee, the keeping of the Law, the outward observances of circumcision, his rich Hebrew heritage, or his zealousness. Paul could no longer trust in any of these things to establish his own righteousness. Jesus was his righteousness!

Paul understood the circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:25-29), through which a repentant sinner could become a worshipper of God––whether Jew or Gentile. All a person needed to do was place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. They could trust in the love and mercy of God.

On one occasion, Jesus explained to a Pharisee named Nicodemus, the miracle of the new birth––of being born again––regeneration:

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:5-6).

Regeneration happens when a person accepts Jesus by faith for salvation. Jesus told the sinful Samaritan woman: “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). How can anyone do that if they are spiritually dead? (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Once again, a person need only trust in Jesus Christ by faith for salvation.

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

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