Dependence Day Series

Astounding Accomplishments

Paul was very zealous about what he believed. So passionate was he that he persecuted the church because he thought they were heretics. He pursued them from town to town and had them arrested and thrown into prison. He even oversaw the execution of one high profile Christian evangelist named Stephen.

He also said that as far as legalistic righteousness was concerned he was faultless. And let me tell you that with all the hundreds of regulations Pharisees had in addition to the Old Testament Law that was quite an impressive accomplishment.

What accomplishments for God or for the church are you most proud of? If you are a Christian your good deeds can earn you reward in heaven, but if you are not a Christian they can never earn you a ticket to heaven.

In this passage Paul lists a number of very impressive qualifications. If he were putting together a resume to present to God, I am sure that he would have been very confident. But there is one glaring problem with all of Paul’s qualifications and it is the problem with all of yours and with all of mine as well. The Bible says, “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;” (Isaiah 64:6). The best that we can achieve by ourselves is viewed from heaven as a filthy pile of stinking rags. That’s it!

Obviously we should be careful of holding too high a view of our accomplishments and ourselves. But that is our tendency. Let me tell you a true story about a man named Speedy Morris. Speedy was a basketball coach for LaSalle University. He was shaving one day when his wife called out to tell him he was wanted on the phone by Sports Illustrated. Speedy Morris was so excited by the prospect of national recognition that he nicked himself with his razor and ran –with a mixture of blood and lather on his face—down the hall promptly falling down the stairs. Limping and in some physical distress he finally got to the phone and the voice on the other line said: “For just seventy five cents an issue you can get a one year trial subscription….” (SOURCE: Nelson’s Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations and Quotes, 2000, pg. 222.)

Winston Churchill was once asked, "Doesn’t it thrill you to know that every time you make a speech, the hall is packed to overflowing?" "It’s quite flattering," replied Sir Winston. "But whenever I feel that way, I always remember that if instead of making a political speech I was being hanged, the crowd would be twice as big." Norman McGowan, My Years With Winston Churchill, Souvenir Press, London

We should not hold too high an opinion of ourselves for if Paul, the highly decorated Pharisee, can’t make it to heaven with his accomplishments then there is no hope for us. Yet there is hope – the hope of the gospel. If we will stop depending on ourselves and start depending on God, we will gain tremendous blessings. Will you make the following declaration?

By Depending Upon Christ I Will Gain . . .

A New Perspective

When Paul came to Christ his whole spiritual worldview was changed. He had a new perspective on his achievements and status.