DON’T GET CARRIED AWAY

Reference text: Phillipians 3:3-8

Until and unless you are speaking from a place of well established results, you really cannot make certain claims. Paul in writing to the church in Philippi, used his life as a reference point to highlight what it meant to have confidence in the flesh. He highlights this at three levels:

1. Identity:  “I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one!” (3:5a)

2. Mastery and results: “As far as keeping the Jewish Law is concerned, I was a Pharisee,” and I was so zealous that I persecuted the church(vs 5b:6)

3. Character: “As far as righteousness in the Law is concerned, I was blameless” (vs 6b).

After ticking all those boxes, Paul looks back and says ‘I counted all I gain as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord(3:8). That, is the point of reflection to ponder on:’ ‘can you hold back even where you have valid arguments to make a case for having confidence in your ability? Where you have mastered your craft and have built a good character that can hold up in the face of tough times, can you still have no confidence in the flesh?

Whenever we come into increase, we may become puffed up and proud. Today’s message is a gentle tap on the shoulder to remind us

“I know you have valid results, but don’t get carried away.”

#sly