If the Holy Spirit was to open up our hearts, what would it look like? Is there pretense on the outside of our hearts? Are we genuinely transparent on the inside? Are our motives pure? What changes need to take place?

This heart-searching testimony of Paul should cause us to examine ourselves to see if our confidence is in the flesh or in the Lord. Honestly, which would it be?

1. On the Outside! (Philippians 3:1–7) – “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.”

Speaking of pedigree and ancestral lineage, Paul had every reason to brag. But he did not! Instead, the Holy Spirit carries him as he writes to the CHRISTians in Philippi. After listing his credentials, he concluded it fell short of Jesus Christ’s righteousness.

It is almost as if he had a piece of paper listing his “good traits” vs his “God traits.” Admittedly, his “good traits” fell considerably short of “God’s glory and righteousness”!

Do you see the same thing in your life?

2. It Is What Is on the Inside That Really Matters! (Philippians 3:7–9) – “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”

Did you notice the “loss” and “gain” columns?
Self-righteousness = loss.
Christ’s righteousness = gain!

Are you there? It is a HAPPY DAY when that truth is discovered.