What Does It Mean to Have No Confidence in Our Flesh?
In Philippians 3, Paul reflects on his past life, recounting the sources of his confidence before knowing Christ. He categorizes these sources into two groups: inherited status and achievements earned through personal effort and discipline.
Inheritance: Paul had inherited a prestigious Jewish lineage, which gave him great standing:
Circumcised on the eighth day: His parents observed the law strictly from his infancy, adhering to Old Testament commandments.
Of the people of Israel: Paul could trace his heritage directly back to Israel’s patriarchs.
Of the tribe of Benjamin: He came from a tribe known for its honorable standing—Benjamin's tribe produced Israel’s first king.
A Hebrew of Hebrews: Though born outside of Jerusalem, Paul was raised and educated in the language and ways of pure Israelite heritage, a source of pride.
Achievement: Paul also lists personal accomplishments that displayed his devotion and rigorous adherence to religious practice:
As to the law, a Pharisee: He belonged to an elite group known for strict moral and ceremonial observance.
As to zeal, a persecutor of the church: Paul was so passionate about protecting Israel’s purity that he persecuted early followers of Jesus, viewing them as a threat.
As to righteousness under the law, blameless: Paul meticulously followed the law, achieving high moral and religious standing.
What Paul once counted as achievements and sources of pride, he later regarded as worthless compared to knowing Jesus. His former confidence lay in himself—his abilities, lineage, and efforts. But now, he sees these as mere “excrement” in light of Christ’s surpassing worth.
Religion is about confidence in our own abilities and achievements, while the gospel calls us to rely on Christ's finished work alone. In his chart on Religion vs. the Gospel, Tim Keller captures this contrast well, distinguishing between self-reliance and Christ-dependence. Feel free to explore the chart for a helpful comparison: View the Chart.
To dig deeper into these themes, consider reflecting on the following questions:
In what areas of my life am I relying on my own efforts to earn God’s favor rather than resting in the completed work of Christ?
Do I approach God primarily to control my circumstances and get what I want, or do I desire His presence for who He is?
How do I respond when I encounter people who don’t share my values or beliefs? Do I feel superior, or am I humbled by the realization that I am saved by grace alone?
These questions can help us identify areas where we may still be relying on self-confidence or religious performance instead of embracing a gospel-centered life.
