Ready:
"And do not put confidence in the flesh - although I have reasons for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless. But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” - Philippians 3:3-8
Set:
If you could compile a resume for yourself, your qualifying reasons for why you’d be voted “Most Spiritual” or “Closest to God”, what would you write? For Paul, many view our verses for today as his Spiritual Resume: all the reasons why others might’ve seen him as more qualified to follow, speak, teach or preach Christ. Paul could’ve been seen as the jock of Christianity; he had many boastful qualifications and numerous strengths. But even the jock knew his place in the Kingdom. He didn’t see himself as a jock at all; he knew his strengths, but more than that he knew his weaknesses. And when he looked at all his credentials, he counted them as loss compared to knowing Christ Jesus his Lord. That was his one goal.
If you go back to the reasons why you’d be voted “Most Spiritual” or “Closest to God,” it all comes back to knowing Christ. So instead of focusing on trying to be a certain way, focus on knowing Him more. Let that be your pursuit - your one goal instead of credentials and fleshly confidence. When you truly know Him, the rest grows naturally out of that relationship. Knowing Him is the true goal, not credentials or strengths. When we view it through Paul’s eyes, the pressure is off. It’s not about us trying to check boxes of specific qualities or aspects of our own identity, it’s simply about knowing Him.
People makes things complicated, but Christianity simplifies things. God isn’t looking to place more burdens on our backs; He’s looking to carry them as we walk with Him.
Go:
What fleshly confidence are you tempted to put your trust in instead of Christ and His finished work on the cross?
Will you surrender that today and just focus on getting to know Him?
Workout:
Overtime:
"Dear Lord, I confess all the times I’ve come to You and others with a long list of qualifications and reasons for my confidence in my flesh. The only thing that matters on my "spiritual resume" is Christ and Him crucified. Please empty me of any other fleshly boasting that might be in my heart. This faith and reason for hope inside of me is because of You, not because of anything I have done. In Jesus’ name, amen."