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PROUD OF GOOD WORKS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24
Philippians 3:4-7

Romans 3:9-20

 

“But what things were gain to me,

those I counted loss for Christ.”

 

PROUD OF GOOD WORKS
 
Paul had “religious credentials” that would have impressed any Jew. If anyone could win a place in heaven because of good deeds done, Paul was probably the one. He had every reason to be proud of his accomplishments and have confidence in the flesh, or so he thought.
 
With regard to his parentage, Paul was “an Hebrew of the Hebrews.” This meant that his parents on both sides would have been pure Jews of no Gentile admixture. This was certainly a point of pride to this young Jew growing up. His parents were likely devout Jews, for they had circumcised him on the eighth day, according to the law.
 
He was from the tribe of Benjamin – descendants of the second child of Rachel, Jacob’s favoured wife. It was the tribe from which Saul the first king of Israel, and Mordecai the uncle of Queen Esther were from. Benjamin was also a tribe famous for their military prowess, having left-handed warriors accurate with the sling (Judg 20:16). It was a prominent tribe, and he was proud to be a part of it.
 
Paul was a rising star among the Pharisees, having previously studied under their foremost scholar Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). As Pharisee, he was zealous, sincere, and fervent, though very wrong. Instead of upholding and defending the law, he was actually opposed to it! Yet at that time, he did not know better, and fully engaged himself in the work of persecuting the church, thinking that he was doing God a service. He thought that since he had been keeping the law so well since birth, this was his righteousness, and his life must have been very pleasing to God.
 
Of course, we know what happened on the road to Damascus. His spiritual eyes were opened, and in a single moment all his perspectives changed. He now realised that he was a sinner in need of Christ. The old life that he was once so proud of did not count for anything before the perfect and holy God. No amount of good works can ever save us. It is Christ alone who can save!
 
THOUGHT: “…There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Rom 3:10)
PRAYER: Father, help me to know that apart from the Lord Jesus Christ, there is no way that I can ever do any good to save myself.

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