Read Philippians 3:1–3
It is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit
of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence
in the flesh.
Philippians 3:3
The popular religious philosophy of today is “The Lord helps those
who help themselves.” It was also popular in Paul’s day, and it is just
as wrong today as it was then. By “the flesh,” Paul means the old
sinful nature that we received at birth. The Bible has nothing good to
say about flesh, and yet most people today depend entirely on what
they themselves can do to please God. Flesh profits nothing as far as
spiritual life is concerned (John 6:63 KJV).
A lady was arguing with her pastor about this matter of faith and
works. “I think that getting to heaven is like rowing a boat,” she said.
“One oar is faith, and the other is works. If you use both, you get
there. If you use only one, you go around in circles.”
“There is only one thing wrong with your illustration,” replied
the pastor. “Nobody is going to heaven in a rowboat!”
There is only one “good work” that takes sinners to heaven: the
finished work of Christ on the cross.
Something to Ponder
What are some ways that you have put confidence in the flesh? How
can you put confidence in Christ instead?