Find Confidence in Christ!
Philippians 3:7–9 (ESV)
7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—
Listen to passage & devotional:
Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 21: The Atonement
We believe
that Jesus Christ is a high priest forever
according to the order of Melchizedek—
made such by an oath—
and that he presented himself
in our name
before his Father,
to appease his wrath
with full satisfaction
by offering himself
on the tree of the cross
and pouring out his precious blood
for the cleansing of our sins,
as the prophets had predicted.
So he paid back
what he had not stolen,
and he suffered—
the “just for the unjust,”
in both his body and his soul—
in such a way that
when he senses the horrible punishment
required by our sins
his sweat became like “big drops of blood
falling on the ground.”
He cried, “My God, my God,
why have you abandoned me?”
And he endured all this for the forgiveness of our sins.
Therefore we rightly say with Paul that
we “know nothing but Jesus and him crucified”;
we consider all things as “dung
for the excellence of the knowledge
of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
We find all comforts in his wounds
and have no need to seek or invent any other means
to reconcile ourselves with God
than this one and only sacrifice,
once made,
which renders believers perfect
forever.
This is also why
the angel of God called him Jesus—
that is, “Savior”—
because he would save his people
from their sins.
Summary
In our world today, we talk about the value of things, from a house that someone just bought, to a new car, to the value of a great deal like a buy one get one free, or a value menu at a fast food restaurant. We're always on the lookout for the next great value.
Today's passage comes right after Paul had recounted all the things he at one time valued. But after he came to know Christ, that which he valued changed greatly. He writes, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith."
What Christ has done for you - having clothed you in His righteousness alone through His atoning death on your behalf - this is where you must find your true value, and this is where you must place your confidence, not in anything you could ever do on your own.
Dig Deeper
If we’re honest with ourselves, there can be times when we can slip into the mindset of wondering 'Have I done enough?' or 'Have I done enough good over the course of my life?'
The enemy perhaps comes and tells us the lie that we haven’t done enough, and that we’re not good enough. But it’s important for you and me to remember where our confidence lies; that we are to rest in Christ’s righteousness alone.
As the hymn “The Solid Rock” reminds us:
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
Likewise, in verse four:
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
Far from making you complacent, this should spur you on to gratitude, so that you're living out of gratitude for what Christ has done for you through the enabling and empowering work of the Holy Spirit.
So when the enemy would tempt you, accusing you that you haven’t done enough, look to Christ, to His atoning sacrifice for you, remembering that He is your confidence.
May you declare with Paul, “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord”
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, who provides righteousness on the basis of faith;
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will consider everything the world values to be a loss, and that your value will come from the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus;
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Colossians 4
