For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh. (Phil. 3:3)
Expanded Passage: Philippians 3:2-3
All too often in our culture, we are asked to have pride and confidence in ourselves. Movies and cartoons seem to always lead us to find the strength and spirit from deep within us that will give us the courage and direction we have so long sought. The problem I have with this is that when I look inside of myself, I often don’t find strength and purity of spirit. I find brokenness and insecurity that leave me directionless and afraid. I need to find that strength, that clarity, from somewhere else. In my reality, and the apostle Paul’s reality, that inner strength comes from the Spirit of God, who lives inside the hearts of every Jesus follower.
The Pharisees of Paul’s day likely would have said something to him that sounded like the “look inside yourself” advice we tend to get these days. They would have encouraged him to believe in his traditions and practices. These Pharisees believed that their holiness, their godliness, was measured entirely by their ability to follow rules.
Paul challenged the idea that following the law was the answer to holiness or a relationship with God. He broke through their legalism in order to replace it with a relationship. No longer would they measure their godliness by their ability to effectively follow rules. From there on out, one’s relationship with God would be measured by the level of surrender to the inner voice of the Holy Spirit.
Surrender self to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
excerpt from The Book of Philippians (WPH)
Mike Hilson is lead pastor of New Life Church in La Plata, Maryland, and author of several books and ministry resources.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
