stephen R Harrison

(Read Philippians 3:4-6)

I loved playing basketball in school. In one game, I scored a couple of points toward the end to pull within one point. With only a few seconds left, I made a layup and was fouled. Those free throws could win the game. As I stood on the line to shoot, I remember hearing my coach say, “Easy points. Just like in practice.” I heard a friend scream, “You’ve got this.” I thought to myself, “I can’t miss.” I even visualized making the shots in my mind. The first shot missed.  The second shot missed again. We lost the game. I remember thinking that if I could have more confidence, perhaps we would have won. The truth is that people miss basketball shots all the time regardless of confidence, effort, practice, and skill. Confidence, experience, ability, achievement, and fortitude were not automatic ingredients for success in basketball. You win some, and you lose some.

The world says confidence is critical to success. The question for the Christian is, where do you place your confidence? Is it in Christ or the flesh? Paul said he had reasons for confidence in the flesh (3:4) just after telling the Philippians not to put confidence in the flesh (3:3). Paul listed seven fleshly advantages: four he had by birth (circumcision, stock of Israel, tribe of Benjamin, and Hebrew) and three he gained through effort (Pharisee, persecutor of the church, flawless external legalism). At one time, Paul had confidence in his fleshly achievements and status, but that was no longer the case. The words “anyone else” in verse four reminded the reader that they also could fall into the fleshly trap of self-reliance. His main emphasis was that his confidence in the flesh far exceeded theirs. 

A problem with the flesh is comparison. When we compare ourselves with others in any area of life, it results in false readings of worth and success. I’ve learned there is always someone smarter, faster, more driven, and better at everything.  If I base my salvation on what I have achieved compared to someone else, I get a false reading. Even when I don’t compare myself to others and base salvation on what I’ve done in the flesh, I still come up short. Paul used to trust in his flesh to gain salvation. Once Christ saved him, he realized his human abilities and heredity, however great in the eyes of others, were foolish means of attaining eternal salvation.  

When it comes to eternal salvation, you don’t want to trust in the flesh for it. Salvation is not a game you want to win some and lose some. Giving it your best may be commendable in basketball, but it will come up short every time in eternity. The flesh will always fail to save, but Christ never will. 

Questions for the Head (Think)

• Is confidence for your salvation placed in Christ or your flesh?

Reflection for the Heart (Worship)

• Compare your identity and accomplishments for salvation to Jesus’ identity and actions on the cross.

Action for the Hands (Do)

• Make a list of your accomplishments.  Make another of your identity.  Make a third of what Christ’s.  How do they compare?