For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. (Philippians 3:3-7)
Man is unable to make himself right with God.
(a) Race is a failure
Our background, upbringing, and ancestry can never make us right with God.
(b) Ritual is a failure
No man gets right with God by taking part in a ritual, ceremony or sacrament.
(c) Religion is a failure
All the religious activity we have ever performed: every church service we attended, every prayer we said, every word of Scripture we read, every service to the church, every penny we donated etc. cannot make us right with God. Salvation is a God-given experience, not a man-made performance.
(d) Respectability is a failure
Striving to live a good, clean, and upright life cannot get us right with God.
Why not?
(a) Because God's law does not only concern our outward words and actions, but upon the inward and spiritual condition; it relates also to our thoughts, desires, motives, and aims.
(b) Because even our best is not good enough to satisfy God. God's law reflects His perfect nature. Perfection is the standard He lays down.
(c) Because even one small sin is big enough to condemn us. One sin is enough to make us guilty in God's sight and deserving of His judgment.
(d) Because even God's law is not strong enough to save us. The law was given to reveal the reality and nature of our sins. The law points to us as guilty sinners in God's sight.
Man is spiritually dead. We are morally corrupt. We are guilty before God. We are powerless to save ourselves.
Only God can save us, and He save us through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Man is unable to make himself right with God.
(a) Race is a failure
Our background, upbringing, and ancestry can never make us right with God.
(b) Ritual is a failure
No man gets right with God by taking part in a ritual, ceremony or sacrament.
(c) Religion is a failure
All the religious activity we have ever performed: every church service we attended, every prayer we said, every word of Scripture we read, every service to the church, every penny we donated etc. cannot make us right with God. Salvation is a God-given experience, not a man-made performance.
(d) Respectability is a failure
Striving to live a good, clean, and upright life cannot get us right with God.
Why not?
(a) Because God's law does not only concern our outward words and actions, but upon the inward and spiritual condition; it relates also to our thoughts, desires, motives, and aims.
(b) Because even our best is not good enough to satisfy God. God's law reflects His perfect nature. Perfection is the standard He lays down.
(c) Because even one small sin is big enough to condemn us. One sin is enough to make us guilty in God's sight and deserving of His judgment.
(d) Because even God's law is not strong enough to save us. The law was given to reveal the reality and nature of our sins. The law points to us as guilty sinners in God's sight.
Man is spiritually dead. We are morally corrupt. We are guilty before God. We are powerless to save ourselves.
Only God can save us, and He save us through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
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