As human beings we tend to be in constant competition
on every thing in life. We work to have the best grades,
the best job, make the most money or even cook the
best meal. You name it, there is a competition to qualify
for everything.
Unfortunately this seems to carry over even into the
spiritual realm. You have heard it, "I'm not good
enough to know God or to be a Christian, etc." That's
right. You never will be because you plain and simple
cannot.
You could keep every law on the books including the
"The ten commandments" and still go straight to the
Devils hell. I think that is why I love this little gem
that the apostle Paul gives us in the book of Philippians.
"For we who worship by the Spirit of God
are the ones who are truly circumcised.
We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us.
We put no confidence in human effort,"
(Philippians 3:3 NLT).
Do you realize that one little verse has the total
essence of being a Christian and in a relationship
with God himself.
That one little verse says more than a large library
full of theological books.
1. "... we who worship by the Spirit of God ..."
Jesus Christ himself when talking to the
Samaritan woman at the well said;
"For God is Spirit, so those who worship
him must worship in spirit and in truth."
(John 4:24 NLT)
God is spirit. He is not something hanging on
the wall or something you can hold in your hand.
We have to lift up our spirit to God who is spirit.
2. "We rely on what Jesus Christ has done for us."
Jesus Christ died in your place and my place.
He became a sacrifice to God the Father for us.
All we have to do is turn to God, submit ourselves
to God and accept that sacrifice that Christ made
for us.
3. "We put no confidence in human effort."
We are told numbers of times in the Scriptures
that we are not saved by our working for it
It is a gift from God. Here are a few of the
places that we are told we are not saved
by works if you want to look them up.
Ephesians 2:8,9
Romans 3:28
2 Timothy 1:9
Yes, after we have accepted God's gift to us
we will want to serve Him out of gratitude. But
that is not what saves us.
Again, only one verse.
"... he saved us, not because of the righteous
things we had done, but because of his
mercy. He washed away our sins, giving
us a new birth and new life through the
Holy Spirit."
(Titus 3:5 NLT)
