Today in God's Word—April 2023
East Tallassee Church of Christ
April 2, Philippians 3
He’s lied too many times, and she no longer trusts anything he says. Down the street, a kid has been abused by people who should have protected him, and now he’s encased himself in an impenetrable shell of distrust. Across town, a young couple is jaded about spiritual things after a painful encounter with a manipulative group. They believe in God, but are leery about getting involved with church again.
After we’ve grown up and faced a few adult issues, we know the pain of violated trust. We’re cautious at the first hint of vulnerability. Despite the risk, we have to trust someone or something to make meaning of life and to engage in relationships. This is especially true about spiritual matters. Trust is the essence of a relationship with God and a spiritual perspective on life.
Paul trusted there was much more to life than here and now. In today’s portion, he discussed the ground of his confidence, his commitment to his goal and our need for godly mentors to lead us where we ought to go.
Paul’s confidence was in God, not Paul. He claimed if anyone could have confidence in human performance, he could have it. He cited his pedigree, credentials and reputation as a Pharisee, and then said he counted it all as loss to gain Christ. It was no small matter for someone raised in legalistic righteousness to denounce his blameless performance to embrace a righteousness from God that comes through faith in Christ. But Paul staked his trust in Jesus, and was willing to share in his
suffering and death to share his resurrection.
Paul trusted God to develop him and his converts into full maturity in Christ. That requires acknowledging we’re not there yet. Trust prevents us from developing a prideful spirit, and calls for a forward-moving, goal- oriented focus. As we maintain the maturity we have attained, we continue to trust God, not ourselves.
Paul also said we should choose our mentors carefully. We need to make sure the ones we choose to follow are headed where we want to go. Some would-be mentors are themselves headed for destruction. We need someone like Paul, whose heavenly citizenship secured his future while he waited for the Lord’s return.
Our confidence in the resurrection, the return of Christ and the waiting reward are all trust issues. Trust is the most common word for faith in the Old Testament. From the patriarchs who received God’s promises to the prophets who told the chosen people about things to come, it was a matter of trusting God for things not yet visible. We’re blessed with much more information and more pieces of the puzzle than Old Testament saints enjoyed. You and I should be eager to do his will instead of ours, not to earn God’s favor, but to show our trust. Is faith risky business? It may seem so to some, but it’s far more secure than any alternative I’ve found.
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament, Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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