In this short letter... I believe Paul points out our most common error... when it comes to living the Christian life... trusting in our own natural strengths and understanding...
Paul clearly warns...
...glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh...
Philippians 3:3 ESV
When it comes to putting confidence in the flesh... Paul had quite the resume...
A good family...
proper education and credentials...
a rule-follower...
Paul had it all down-pat...
until Jesus crossed his path on the road to Damascus...
According to his own understanding... Paul was doing the work of God by persecuting the church... putting an end to those trying to destroy his religious affiliation... but Jesus showed up... and revealed his blindness... to the truth... (see Acts 9)
Paul learned... none of his strengths in the flesh were of any use when it came to righteousness...
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth
of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered
the loss of all things and count them as rubbish in order that I may
gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own
that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ,
the righteousness from God that depends on faith...
Philippians 3:8-9 ESV
Paul learned... to be content in any circumstance... good or bad... abundance or want... not through his own willpower or humility... but through the strength of his Savior... Jesus...
...I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.
In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret
of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:11-13 ESV
We too need to learn... to count anything in our flesh as rubbish...
our family...
our education...
our intellect...
our understanding...
our professional affiliations...
our religion...
our financial portfolios...
these are not strengths...
they are barriers to knowing and serving Jesus...
Do not continue in the most common error of man...
I can do it...
In humility... recognize your need for Him... in ALL circumstances...
I can't... but You can...
This week's readings...
Wednesday Luke 4
Thursday Luke 5
Friday Luke 6
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