Utter dependence on Christ

The Apostle Paul met Christ and was saved while on a mission to destroy Christians. He was not an evil man in his culture but a man zealous for God and eager to serve Him according to the OT laws. He had a list of credentials that many would call high qualifications for being in God’s favor. He had been circumcised as required, born into the nation of Israel, a member of the tribe of Benjamin, a true Hebrew and a Pharisee who could claim righteousness according to the Law. He also could have boasted that he was zealous as seen in his persecution of Christians who were considered a false sect by the Jews.

However, Paul put no value in these ‘credentials’ and instead counted them as loss for the sake of Christ. For him, knowing Christ had “surpassing worth” and the rest was rubbish. His righteousness came from God through faith and a personal relationship with Jesus. He knew the power of His resurrection, and what it meant to share in His sufferings. Because of this, Paul said:

“Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more . . . .”(Philippians 3:2–4)

It is not biblical to suppose that becoming a Christian will result in a cushy life. We have enemies. Some are enemies in teaching falsehood about how to be saved. Some are enemies in encouraging confidence in ourselves and in our credentials. Even Christians who mean well can fall into this worldly way of evaluating the worth of others.

A few years ago my husband was on a church board interviewing people for the position of youth pastor. One young man stood out. He had no degrees, no experience, but a great attitude and an obvious close relationship with the Lord. The others on this board had to be convinced but eventually agreed to hire him. All of them later admitted this was the best choice. After a few years, this young man moved on and is now the pastor of a growing, vibrant church. His credentials were spiritual qualities and God-given attitudes, not anything else.

I’ve thought of my own list of things I could depend on and realize that while God can use our ‘credentials’ He does not need them. The Bible says:

“For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’” (1 Corinthians 1:26–31)

^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, You tell me to beware of considering myself ‘gifted’ or ‘well-educated’ or ‘strong’ or anything else that is gained from worldly sources. Obviously, You are more interested in a heart that is yielded to You and relies on You rather than those who think they do not need to.