As we continued the Redemption Stories sermon series this past Sunday, we looked at a clear call from God to let go of any confidence we have in our ability to impress Him and to trust in the work of Christ alone for our salvation. While this struggle manifests itself in the early church through ritual acts like circumcision, the modern day church displays this struggle in the form of religious performance and moral façade. In Philippians 3:1-14, the Apostle Paul ardently denounces any confidence he previously had in the flesh in order that he might gain salvation in Jesus. As one who had diligently performed the religious duties of his culture and excelled in the religious system of his day, Paul stood as an authority in self-based confidence. If anyone had the right to stand proud in his accomplishments for God, Paul was at the top of the list. Plainly put, Paul says it this was: “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.” Trusting in Jesus alone still leaves room for hard work and perseverance. The difference is that those who have been saved by faith in Jesus alone work hard to serve God and become like Jesus, not in an attempt to impress God and earn his favor, but as a irresistible response to what they already have in Christ.
