Welcome back to the course, friend. Today we’re going to compare human achievements and confidence in the flesh, to the finished work of Christ.
The Apostle Paul had many “human achievements” he could have trusted in, but instead, he was laser-focused on Jesus’ death and resurrection. In his introduction and opening statement in Galatians chapter 1 he immediately wanted his readers to understand one thing, that his new life in Christ did not come from men or his own efforts, but his heart change came through Jesus’ death and resurrection power. “Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead-” (Galatians 1:1).
“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” (Philippians 3:3 NIV).
Did you notice the connection? Being circumcised in our hearts is also how we serve God through His Spirit, how we walk by the Spirit. Paul, did, however, go on to say that if anyone could boast in the flesh it would be him:
“though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 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; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless” (Philippians 3:4-6 NIV).
Confidence in the cross removes confidence in the flesh! In other words, Paul at one time boasted about his knowledge, accomplishments and how he was advancing far beyond those of his own age (Galatians 1:14). In Paul’s former life and religion, he was zealous and faultless, but it was based upon “confidence in the flesh” and that is what he could boast about. But now he boasts in his new life in Christ where his heart was circumcised by the Spirit of God which transformed him from one who “boasts in the flesh” to “boasting in the cross.”
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14 NIV)
Prior to Paul's conversion he had zeal and passion, he was faultless through the law and he eagerly desired to be right with God. But look at what his “religious zeal” and “faultless” living produced.
“as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless” (Philippians 3:6 NIV).
Question 2: What did Paul’s religion and righteousness drive him to do to the church? And what was his primary focus in his thinking (v6)?