Pastor Tricia's Ramblings

Paul starts Philippians 3 with a warning: “Put no confidence in the flesh.” (v. 3) That’s a bold statement, but it’s one we all need to wrestle with. He’s reminding us that anything we do in our own strength, by our own achievements, or even in our own religious efforts, will not get us anywhere when it comes to salvation. Faith in the flesh will get us nowhere.

That was a radical claim for Paul to make because, if anyone could boast about being “good enough,” it was him. He was a Pharisee of Pharisees, born into the right family, educated by the best, and zealous for his faith. On paper, Paul looked like the perfect candidate for righteousness. But he says very plainly—it was all garbage compared to knowing Christ. (v. 8)

And that’s the heart of it. True righteousness doesn’t come from us. It doesn’t come from our heritage, our education, our religious practices, or even our good works. True righteousness comes only through Christ. It is His gift to us, secured by His death and resurrection, received by faith—not earned by our performance.

Worship as Our Circumcision

Paul also reframes what “circumcision” means for believers. In his day, circumcision was the mark of being part of God’s people, but Paul says the true mark is worship—worshiping God in spirit and truth, glorying in Christ Jesus, and putting no confidence in the flesh (v. 3). In other words, what sets us apart as God’s people today isn’t outward symbols—it’s a heart of worship that reflects total dependence on Christ.

A Modern Picture

Let me give you a lighter example. When my kids were younger, my husband used to do the grocery shopping to help me out. Sweet, right? The only problem—he never used my list. He came home with all kinds of random things that had nothing to do with what I needed. So, I had to get creative and figure out how to make meals out of what he brought.

Here’s the funny part—today, those “creative meals” are sometimes the ones our kids request when they come home. What was once a frustration turned into something good. But let’s be honest—that skill of making meals out of random groceries has no eternal value. It fed our family for the day, but it didn’t earn me righteousness before God.

And that’s exactly Paul’s point. You and I can take the most random talents, skills, and accomplishments, and while they may serve a purpose here on earth, they don’t earn us righteousness in heaven. Only Jesus does that.

The Danger of Pride

Paul knew the trap of pride. Even in his perfect performance, pride got in the way. He could boast about being “blameless” under the law, but all it did was put confidence in himself instead of in Christ. And pride is always the downfall.

We have to ask ourselves: Are we trying to build a spiritual résumé? Are we secretly hoping God will notice all the good things we’ve done and weigh them against our failures? Because if so, we’re missing the gospel. None of our legacy matters. Only Jesus.

Righteousness: Declared, Not Earned

Here’s the good news. Paul says, “I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.” (v. 9, NLT) That’s the gospel in one sentence.

We don’t earn righteousness—we’re declared righteous because of Christ. His perfect purity and justice cover us. His finished work on the cross is enough. But here’s the other side of it: we are called to live in a way that reflects that gift. Our good works don’t earn righteousness, but they do demonstrate that righteousness has already been given to us.

Think of it like wearing a team jersey. You didn’t earn the right to play—you were drafted by grace. But now that you’re wearing that jersey, your life should reflect the One you represent.

A Question for Today

So let’s get practical. The life you’re living right now—does it reflect Christ or does it reflect the world? Are you living out of the righteousness that has already been given to you, or are you trying to earn something you never could?

Because here’s the truth: there’s no way to earn the righteousness of Christ except through the cross of Christ. Everything else is rubbish compared to knowing Him.

Reflection

Take some time today to ask yourself:

• Where am I tempted to put confidence in myself instead of in Christ?
• Do I worship God in spirit and truth, or do I cling to outward symbols of faith?
• Is my life reflecting the righteousness that has been given to me, or am I trying to prove something to God or others?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the reminder that my righteousness comes only through Christ. Forgive me for the times I’ve tried to earn Your approval or relied on my own works. Help me to live each day as a reflection of the righteousness You’ve already given me. May my life point others to Jesus, not to myself. Amen.