Lesson 186 – When the Spirit Is Our Confidence

Philippians 3:3

"For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh."

As Americans, we live in a society which rightfully places a premium on teaching our children to embrace the confidence needed to be successful in our modern world. And that's a good thing.

But often, we push this desire for confidence too far, emphasizing a self-worth that is beyond that which is ours only by the Spirit's touch. The Bible is clear--all our own worth is as nothing when compared to God's glories. Because of sin, we are unholy people in need of a Savior, and no amount of self-confidence overcomes this reality. Every other confidence will leave you wanting, only hiding behind a self-assurance that you know is only a façade.

Paul lived in a day where people understood their need to be saved from sin's curse. And while the Jews recognized their sinful condition, they were much like people today, betting on a confidence other than Christ. For Israel, their confidence was in a religious practice. Specifically, their faith was in circumcision. As long as the men of the nation were circumcised, the people remained confident that God would forgive their sins. But this was a misplaced confidence.

Jesus came teaching that the circumcision needed was not of the flesh, but of the heart. Sure, God command Israel to be circumcised, but that was only to point to the need of the heart change, and to mark those who confessed their sins to God. The physical act never took away sin, but pointed to a people who were following after God with all their hearts.

But over time, familiarity with the practice reduced it to just a cultural act, much like today. It really meant nothing other than to become a misplaced confidence concerning their relationship with God. We see much the same today in church practices such as infant baptism. Coming to church once in a life-time, and as an infant at that, doesn't make one right with God. Same with partaking of the Lord's Supper without placing faith in Jesus Christ; it becomes a misplaced confidence. It's even the same with coming to church worship services every week. This simple act does not save one from sin.

Many today believe they are Christians simply because of where they were born. I find much of Europe thinks exactly this way, believing they are Christians by birth, since they were born in a Christian nation. Again, this is a misplaced confidence. Our Spiritual birth is not a matter of where we were born, but of the one who makes us born again.

You see, our only confidence must be in the Spirit's touch. When God comes to live in our hearts through faith in Jesus Christ, we receive a new confidence, one based not on ourselves, or chance, or anyone else's declaration, but a confidence based on God's word.

So where are you placing your confidence today?

LORD JESUS

Lord, I ask you to impress your Spirit on those you are calling to faith so that we place our only confidence in the faith you give us in Jesus Christ. Amen.