Losing Our Self Confidence

For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (Php 3:3)

Flesh is often considered the negative part of us that God want us to unshackled from, dead unto sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom 6:11). In Philippians 3 Paul was writing about a deeper dealing that is more deceptive than sin. The detectability of the sin of the flesh is obvious which we can grieve over sin and look to the cleansing blood of Jesus (Rom 7:15, 25). Watchman Nee tells us that sin is dealt with by the blood and the cross deals with the self. Self is not necessary the evil for even those who refuse the Lordship of Jesus Christ can perform or perhaps outdo many Christians in doing good.

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly trust in Jesus' Name.

(Form the hymn ‘My Hope is Built on Nothing Less’, words by Edward Mote)

Paul is not about to let the good be the enemy of God’s best but to ‘be found in him, not having mine own righteousness’ (Phl 3:9). Hidden in Christ and not live in celebration of what self can do and achieve. As one who was a Hebrew of the Hebrews, his character was impeccably unequalled, ‘touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless’. Who could parallel such a life! But in this he counts them loss and dung for excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus. Beyond uncleanness is the issue of self confidence we have in self righteousness. Beyond the sin of the flesh is the confidence of the flesh. An arrogance that emits the stench of pride and self that God abhors (1 Pet 5:5). Paul was willing to lose what he held on to and suffered the ‘loss of all things’, letting go of the good to inherit the best.

For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. (Php 3:18-19)

May we live in total dependency within the confines of a Spirit Led life (Gal 5:16); never having a sense of self attainment (Php 3:12) but possessing a continuous stature of humbly following after, pressing toward the mark. The clarion warning is given, even the ‘good’ flesh need the dealings of the cross (Gal 5:24). The glorying in the good flesh can take us back to where we first began (Gal 5:19-21), let there be fruit that the Lord can harvest unto His glory (Gal 5:22, 23).