January 31

The Continuing Battle

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 3:1, KJV).

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-6

Song: “Amazing Grace”

What a battle Paul was fighting . . . the Jewish religion vs. the Christian religion, the circumcised flesh vs. a circumcised heart, the people of Israel vs. the people of God. And today, we still have the same type of battles with the “religious” family within the family of God, the flesh vs. the Spirit.

Sadly there are still people who glory in their own accomplishments: how much they attend church; how much they pray; the jobs they do in their church. Their confidence is in their position and activities.

Paul warns us to not put confidence in ourselves or our accomplishments, not in how well versed we are in the Bible or how much zeal for God we have, not how strong a stand we take against those who do not totally believe the same, nor how legalistic we can be. But we place our confidence in His accomplishments. We rejoice in His work. He has performed surgery on our hearts. He has made us people of God, birthed us into a new family! His Spirit gives us insight into His Word plus the power to share it. We realize nothing we can do will make us righteous. Even with His righteousness He clothed us. We cannot add to His grace. For all this and more, rejoice in the Lord!

Father, we owe everything to You and Your Son Jesus who has made us acceptable. All we are and all we have is because of Your working in our lives. Thank You, in Jesus’ name, amen.