Challenge: No Confidence

…for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh… Phil 2:3 NASB

Paul says this with such confidence: “we…put no confidence in the flesh.”  Can I say that with the same certainty?  No, I must confess that I cannot.  But, I desire to!  The truth is that I put great confidence in the flesh!  I trust in all manner of things that I can see – that my senses can process. 

Paul follows this statement with a list of things from his past that he could put confidence in were he to put confidence in the flesh.  His pedigree.  His accomplishments.  His learning.  Throughout the story of Paul’s life, we can see clearly how God used those very things to work through Paul.  But, they were not Paul’s confidence.  They were instead tools of God.

What is my confidence?  Is it the fact that I have logged over 27 years as a believer?  Is it the Bible training I have received through my life?  Is it the knowledge and wisdom of the incredible man I married?  Hopes?  Dreams?  Plans?

It should be none of these things.  Those things should be tools in the hands of my Savior, but they cannot be what I rely upon.  My confidence has to be Christ Himself.  Period.  Fleshing that out is a challenge that must be embraced on a daily basis. 

Oh, may I be able to say with Paul that I truly put no confidence in the flesh!