GOD TO THE RESCUE
“Abraham entered into what God was doing for him, and that
was the turning point. He trusted God to set him right instead
of trying to be right on his own.” —Romans 4:1–5 (The Message)
YOU WILL NEVER BE
Abraham… “I am nothing but dust and ashes…” Genesis 18:27
Isaiah… “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips…” Isa 6:5
Peter… “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” Luke 5:8
Paul… “And I was the worst of them all.” 1 Timothy 1:16
*…*for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…
Romans 3:23
THE
Yet I could have confidence in myself if anyone could. If others
have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!
For I was circumcised when I was eight days old, having been
born into a pure-blooded Jewish family that is a branch of the
tribe of Benjamin. So I am a real Jew if there ever was one!
What’s more, I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the
strictest obedience to the Jewish law. And zealous? Yes, in fact, I
harshly persecuted the church. And I obeyed the Jewish law so
carefully that I was never accused of any fault. —Philippians 3:4-6 (NLT)
WE ATTEMPT TO PLEASE GOD BY
MY WORTH IS BASED ON WHAT I
AND HOW I
OUR WORKS ARE A LOAD OF
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of
Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to
the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for
whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I
may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness
of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through
faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by
faith. Philippians 3:7-9 —Philippians 3:7-9
skubala (skoo'-bal-a); what is thrown to the dogs,
excrement, dung.
BUT WHEN
But when God… called me by his grace… to reveal his Son in me
so that I might preach him among the Gentiles… —Galatians 1:15-16
They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted
us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they
praised God because of me. —Galatians 1:23-24
WHEN I REALIZE THAT GOD ACCEPTS ME THROUGH
CHRIST, I AM NO LONGER LIVING
APPROVAL BUT