Tuesday 4 May, 2021

2 Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

What do you think of when we say flesh?  I almost guarantee you it is different to what Paul is saying here in this passage.  Flesh for Paul, given the context, is a sense of achievement outside of grace in Jesus.  Paul lists a series of accomplishments – some by effort some by birth – all not of value in pleasing Christ.

We are not to place our confidence in the flesh!  We are not to use our accomplishments or status as something that advances ourselves.  We are to rely on Christ – His death and resurrection.

Paul makes straightforward forthright declarations that powerfully enable us;

“we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh”.

Do you rely on your accomplishments?  This becomes more tempting the older you are, simply you have accomplished more the older you are.  Our task to is place our confidence in Christ, to worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ – this will set us free into the lifestyle Jesus calls us to!

Father, help me to place my confidence in Christ alone!

Written by Ps. Richard Botta