ACCEPTANCE THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS ALONE

Philippians 3:4-7 says, "Though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done." The false teachers who put their confidence in their accomplishments for their salvation tried to spread false teachings in the church in Philippi. They tried to convince the Philippian believers that they needed to be circumcised in order for them to complete their salvation. However, Paul warned the Philippian believers to reject those false teachings, and he proved to them that doing good was not enough for their salvation because of what he had experienced in himself. Paul listed all his accomplishments as a Jew, yet he found out that all of his accomplishments were worthless in saving him.

Paul thought in the beginning that all his accomplishments would save him, but he realized that they were all worthless. He tried to be accepted by God with his own efforts. Everything that he did as a Jew was to please God, but he found out on the road to Damascus that he was persecuting the very God that he wanted to please (Acts 9). God does not accept us because of our accomplishments or good works. God only accepts us through our faith in our Lord Jesus. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me (John 14:6)." Our Lord Jesus' death and resurrection paved the way for us to God. The danger of believing that we can be accepted by God with our accomplishments or good works is that when we begin to rely on ourselves for our salvation, we can never completely rely on God. 

The more we rely on God, the more we have hope and security in Him, which results in peace that produces joy in our hearts in the midst of any difficult situations that we encounter. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Can I be accepted by God through my accomplishments or good works? What can I do to be saved? Why is it that my accomplishments or good works cannot save me?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, you accepted and saved me through my faith in Jesus alone. Thank you for reminding me this morning not to rely on myself, but to completely rely on you for everything. The more I rely on you, the more I find hope and security. I lift up all my burdens to you today, and please help me to completely trust you. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.