For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, Philippians 3:3
Having confidence in self is something that is taught from the very beginning of one’s life as a child. Lacking confidence in self is seen as a negative thought pattern and an extreme weakness. The world pushes having confidence in self. Due to the lack in confidence, many are unwilling to attempt to do something new and become depressed with themselves, seeing themselves as nothing or worthless.
Paul describes himself and the believers as ones who worship in the Spirit, rejoice in Jesus and take no confidence in themselves.
Being able to do something on one’s own ability is the goal of most people. Children are taught how to begin to do things on their own, starting with crawling to eating to walking and more. The more one can do on one’s own, the more confidence one has in self or in flesh.
On the surface this gives the appearance of being a good thing. It encourages people to take a step into doing something new and greater. In doing physical things in this life, it may be helpful, but when it comes to the spiritual realm of life, it fails.
People will often try to earn their way into heaven by what they can physically do themselves. All that does is deceive them and fail in the end.
Rather than having confidence in their own abilities, their own flesh, believers are to trust in God. The only reason that they can possibly get into heaven is believing in the work of Jesus upon the cross. This gives them a reason to rejoice in Christ Jesus for the removal of sin and receiving the gift of life and have confidence in what He can do in them.
There are many things that you can do physically yourself. One thing you cannot do is save yourself from sin. God knows this and has made a way for you to be saved and given eternal life through Jesus Christ. Stop trying to save yourself, putting confidence in your own abilities and put all of that confidence in Christ Jesus. Worship God in Spirit and rejoice in what Jesus has done for you, in you and through you. It is God who can, not you.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will worship God from your heart; that you will put all confidence in Christ Jesus; that God will give you strength to reject having confidence in your own abilities; and that you will see the work God is doing in you.
Photo by Jiri Sifalda on Unsplash
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