Do not trust in the flesh

Posted on January 26, 2012

Have no confidence in the flesh
Philippians 3:3

Paul here mentions that if anyone would have confidence in the accomplishments of the flesh, which included his religious upbringing and his past accomplishments it would have been him.

In Philippians 3 he listed his resume that included his Jewish heritage, his religious training, and experience. He even mentioned that according to the practice of the law he was blameless, however he was still a sinner and was condemned according to the law.

We should not rejoice in our flesh, our works, our religion, our past experiences or any other thing without Jesus. Paul began chapter 3 by saying rejoice in the Lord.

Galatians 6:13-15 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

The first church at Jerusalem struggled with this same issue. Certain men had been teaching that circumcision was necessary to be saved. Paul and Barnabas confronted them about having confidence in the flesh as opposed to the grace of God and so a meeting was called where the Apostles and elders where to discuss and decide how to respond. The gentiles were being converted and they had great joy, and yet there were those that tried to add works of the flesh to their conversion which happened by grace. Peter a very influential apostle spoke up in this meeting and gave testimony about his experience, about the grace of God, and how we are purified through faith in Christ and not trusting in the works of the flesh.

Acts 15:16-knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

As believers we are to trust in Jesus not in our flesh, human strength, religion or any other work of the flesh. When we rely upon the Lord by faith we will be able to rejoice as Paul did even when the circumstances of life seem to be contrary.

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