OUTLINE:
“put no confidence in the flesh”
It is wise to place ample emphasis on “no” in this statement. Even one iota of this brand of confidence increases our risk of stumbling. Good intention is to rid our lives of it… all of it!
Confidence In the Flesh
The moment we look in the mirror and give the needle a little nudge off of the “100% God” position, we have begun the process of our own demise.
Revolutionary Thinking
We are to examine ourselves, compile all of our street credibility into one big heap of creature-credit, and light a match to it! This is precisely what Paul did (Php 3:7-9). He was blessed for it.
“not having a righteousness of my own”
This really requires a bit of introspection for every believer in Christ. Our flesh is 100% self-righteous, always (there’s never a time when we can tame it). Temptation is constant.
“but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith”
Contrary to self-righteousness is Christ- righteousness, the mainstay of the “new creature” (2Co 5:17). This righteousness bears good fruit, by grace through faith, such as confidence (aka, having faith that you are right before God).
“forgetting what lies behind”
Yesterday is gone. You can’t get it back. It’s true, we can/should learn from our mistakes, but we shouldn’t perseverate on them. Despondency results when we buy the lie that our past defines our future. We have a “living hope” (1Pe 1:3) that we are entitled to as children of God!
Jas 1:5 [Message]
If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it.
1Pe 3:15
but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; [begin this process with yourself!]
Pr 3:26
For the LORD will be your confidence
And will keep your foot from being caught.
The Value of Process
The Spirit wants us to focus on the “process”, not just what we see in that brief moment we’re in front of the mirror; but those moments that stretch before and afterwards. By looking at the whole process, we break out of the “box” the flesh likes to keep our perspective on sin in.
The approach to truth dictates what you find.
Sin is the cause of misery.
Jesus’s Example
He walked confidently because He was ever-filled with the Spirit. He walked with power, a power He has since made available to all of His sheep through the filling of His Spirit.
“Walking” With Power
Faith has power because the Spirit endows it. (ref: 1Co 2:3-5; 2Th 1:11-12; 1Pe 1:3-5)
“Walking” With Power
It’s true that our confidence must be rooted in faith in Christ, but it’s also true that for said faith to animate us (to enable us to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord” – Col 1:10), it must be empowered by the Holy Spirit.
2Ti 1:7 [Amplified]
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well- balanced mind and self-control].
The Holy Spirit Empowers the Spiritual Life
Because of the Spirit, we have:
• Christ’s righteousness
• Faith
• Confidence
Is 32:17
And the work of righteousness will be peace,
And the service of righteousness [also translated “the effect of righteousness” or “the wages of righteousness.”], quietness and confidence forever.
The Lord Is Our Confidence
Confidence in the Spirit’s power to transform us is tantamount to confidence in Christ.
Jn 15:18-19
“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.”
Your Faith Is Offensive
Grace is offensive to man. Any result of it is also offensive to man. For example, godly faith that results in confidence confounds, irritates, and becomes a cause for hatred against the possessor of it.
The Blessing of Confidence
Jesus said:
Mt 5:8“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
John said:
1Jn 3:21Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God [<— THIS is a blessing 🙂 ]
Simply defined, confidence is faith in our righteousness.