We are continuing in chapter three of Philippians with our study on how God expects us to conduct ourselves during this life on earth.
I believe that the Book of Philippians is a God inspired guideline for our walk and being in this world. And just as a reminder, the Book of Philippians is not the only book in the Bible to give advice for life. We have to take the whole of Scripture into consideration and it’s important to keep all of it in context.
Philippians 3:3 (NKJV)
For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,
This verse contains another “rejoice”, a word we examined last week in Philippians 3 verse 1. However, this time “rejoice” has a different Greek translation –see *G2744- meaning more like “glory”, even akin to the word “boast”.
William MacDonald describes “rejoice” and “have no confidence in the flesh” as follows in his commentary titled ‘Believer’s Bible Commentary’:
“Members of the true circumcision rejoice (or glory) in Christ Jesus. He alone is the ground of their boasting. They do not pride themselves in personal attainments, in cultural background, or in faithfulness to sacraments.
They have no confidence in the flesh. They do not think they can be saved through fleshly efforts in the first place or be kept by their own strength thereafter. They do not expect any good from their Adamic nature and are therefore not disappointed when they find none!”
In Philippians 3:3 we find the Do Not: “have no confidence in the flesh”.
Many people believe that they can save themselves and will be going to heaven for eternity just by being good and doing good deeds. They have confidence in the flesh. Born-again believers know and understand that these people are being led astray. God is quoted in
Romans 3:10 (NIV)
“As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one;”
And by the way, how good would be good enough in order to make it into heaven? We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God:
Romans 3:23 (NIV)
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
So, we don’t have confidence in ourselves but we trust in the Lord. We can boast, glory in God for what He has done so that He can declare us righteous in His eyes and offer us the gift of eternal life. Praise God!
Is that easier said than done?
Do we boast about ourselves and what we achieved sometimes?
Do we humble ourselves and give the glory to God?
Feel free to leave me a comment; I would like to hear your thoughts on this.
May our hearts rejoice in the Lord always!
I hope this post is an encouragement to you in your walk with the Lord.
Philippians 1:9-11 (NKJV)
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
To God be the Glory!
*Complete Word Study Bible In my next post we will continue with Philippians 3:13.
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