Everyone places their confidence in something or someone. Some put their confidence in their knowledge or abilities. Others put their confidence in money. Some place their confidence in their popularity and social connections. Sadly, even in the church, some put their confidence in the aforementioned or in a certain leader or preacher. However, as Christians we should place our confidence in the Lord.

Paul wrote: “For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,” (Phil. 3:3). The context seems to indicate that the flesh here refers to human credentials. Paul’s former life in Judaism emphasized the flesh. He went on to write, “though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless” (Phil. 3:4-6). He had all the accolades of the Old Testament Jewish religious system. If it were a matter of boasting in achievements and pedigree, Paul had the credentials to stand above others.

However, Paul recognized all those as worthless before God.  He went on to write: “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith” (Phil. 3:7-9). What of the family you were born into, your knowledge, skill, and achievements? They cannot deliver you from sin. Family, knowledge, skills, and money cannot redeem the soul; only the precious blood of Christ can (1 Pet. 1:17-19). After stating this, 1 Peter 1:21 goes on to say, “who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.” For our faith and hope to be in God is another way of saying our confidence is in Him.

When we stand before God on the day of judgment, the only confidence we can trust in is that we are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus told Nicodemus, who had a stellar résumé in Judaism, that he must be born again of water and Spirit, completely made anew and regenerated to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3-5; cf. Titus 3:5). Water baptism washes one’s sins away and places one into Christ to be covered by His precious blood (Acts 22:16; Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:27; 1 Pet. 3:21).

We live righteous lives before God as a response to the love and grace He has shown us (Titus 2:11-14). Our faith is manifested in good works, but our confidence before God is not our own achievements by which we may boast (Eph. 2:8-10). Are you confident in your salvation through Jesus Christ? Will you be found in Him?