Confidence is the feeling or belief that we can rely on someone or something. It is the act of having a firm trust in someone or thing. We all experience placing our confidence in many things in life. As a child, you may have confidence in your Mom or Dad. You learn to have confidence in them because of past actions. For instance, if they tell you, they will do something, they do it! However, in this life, there are always times when we are disappointed at the actions of those in which we place our confidence. We may have our confidence in things. When I walk out to my garage to go somewhere, I am confident my car will start. I have confidence when I flip a light switch the light will turn on. I have confidence when I apply for a job that my credentials are good enough to get the job. We all place confidence in many things throughout our lives. Yet, our confidence is misplaced most of the time.
Paul explains his misplaced and correctly placed confidence in Philippians 3:4-9. He had placed his confidence in the flesh. He had been an immensely proud Jew. He had followed the Jewish religious rituals such as being circumcised on the eighth day. He was a descendant of the patriarch Israel, which was Jacob. He was of the tribe of Benjamin. He boasted this because Benjamin and Jacob were the two tribes that did not rebel against Jeroboam. These tribes also were located closest to the temple. He was a Pharisee. They kept the letter of the law. There would be no room for mercy or grace with a Pharisee. In verse 6, he further adds to his credentials by stating he was zealous. If it was written in the law, he made sure he was against anyone who didn’t adhere to it.
Philippians 3:4-6 “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: blameless. Circumcised the eighth day of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness, which is in the law,”
It would be the same as you and I boasting that our families had always been a part of the church we attend. We might be boasting of baptism, of never missing a church service, or even memorizing scripture. Some feel because they have been in a church all their lives their opinions and desires carry more weight than others. While it is right to be faithful, follow the Lord in baptism, and be involved in the church, it is not right to feel superior to others. Paul turns the corner in verse 7. You can almost feel his humility and love for Christ as he states that all these things that seemed to be gain to him, he now counted as a loss. He understood grace. There was nothing within himself that merited favor with God. Paul gave up everything the world counted as valuable. He gave up prestige, money, power, family, and friends that probably thought he was crazy.
Philippians 3:7-9 “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:”
How could one who was taught at the best schools, and sat with those in authority, leave everything to travel and preach the gospel of Christ? When Paul met Jesus, he understood what Isaiah 64:6 was talking about. All our righteousness when compared to the righteousness of Jesus is as filthy rags. We have nothing to boast about except Jesus! Anything we think we are, or anything we may have, family, intelligence, money, or prestige would not be possible without God. He is the giver of all good things. While some may take great comfort in these things, one day they will all pass away. Unless Christ comes back first, we will each taste the pains of death. None of the things mentioned will go with us when we die.
Isaiah 64:6 “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness’s are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”
Now, Paul placed his confidence in what Christ did on the cross, not in his own merit. For years, his confidence had been in his heritage, his status, and his religion. He felt justified to exalt himself until he met the Justifier, Jesus. We too need to understand that nothing we are makes us good enough to go to Heaven. We must place our confidence in Christ and what He did for us. Confidence in anything else to gain eternal life in Heaven will result in eternal damnation. When God created us, He created us with an eternal soul. We will live forever somewhere, either Heaven or Hell. You may think you can have all your desires on this earth and Christ too, but that is a lie.
Where is your confidence? Examine your heart closely and determine if all your confidence for all of eternity is in Christ, or are you depending on good deeds, knowledge, or things for your eternal destiny.
