Sabbath: Confidence Only in Christ
Daily Lesson for Sabbath 31st of January 2026
Image © Pacific Press
Read for This Week’s Study: Philippians 3:1-16; Romans 2:25-29; John 9:1-39; Ephesians 1:4,10; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
Memory Text:
“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10-11, NKJV).
There’s something about us that remains suspicious about salvation by faith alone, apart from the works of the law. That is, for some reason, we all tend to lean on our works, as if they could add to our salvation. In a rather striking way, Paul deals with this point in a vigorous polemic against those who insist that circumcision is necessary for salvation.
To guard against the possibility that some might consider their works, such as circumcision, as contributing to their salvation, Paul makes it clear that righteousness is from Christ as a gift that comes by faith, not by the law. Though circumcision might not be an issue today, the principle it deals with certainly is.
The Protestant Reformation itself started over this very issue: the role of faith and works in the experience of a follower of Christ. In the end, Christ is everything to us, “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). If our priorities are in the right place, we will live with the assurance of God’s love and enjoy the promise, even now, of salvation, all while placing “no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3).
“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:26, NLT)
As for me, one thing that really and truly consoles my Christian life is the hope of resurrection. No number of sweet stories and promises in the Bible would make more sense than the promise of the first resurrection. Paul’s writings are my most favourite passages in the Bible; he talks more about resurrection than any other Bible writers. The story of resurrection resonates with me most because it is the answer to all human suffering. Without resurrection, Christianity is a fake religion. Without it, the Bible is a fraud, and without it, Christ is not God. I want to join Paul in his plea:
“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!” (Philippians 3:10-11, NLT).
Well said my brother.
Resurrection was important to Paul that nothing else gave him peace of mind while in dungeon.
In 1Cor. 15:13-26 he expressed his confidence in the resurrected Christ as the only hope for Christianity.
1Cor. 15:13-26
“But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
14. And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
15. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
16. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
17. And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
18. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
19. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
20. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
24. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”
May we also find confidence in the resurrected Christ. Amen
Paul saw the great value in knowing Jesus.
What about us? If we were to evaluate our life; if we were to look back and list those things we COUNT as being valuable what would they be?
A respected position in the community…a nice-sounding job title?
A good salary with enviable perks?
Growing popularity among your peers?
A wall in your office covered with awards?
A fine automobile
A wardrobe full of elegant and stylishly expensive clothes?
A nice home-maybe a summer place as well?
Now, granted those are all wonderful things but they don’t fill the emptiness and loneliness that all people feel who don’t KNOW Jesus experientially. And none of those things on this list prepare a person for eternity.
The one fact we all clung to was the fact that He KNEW Jesus personally. You see death changes the calculation. Whatever seemed so important during life, job or money or house or success, none of these things matter when life ends. At that point all that COUNTS is whether or not we knew Jesus Christ. Only that relationship has any real value.
History is full of records of people who have taught and believed in diverse philosophies and different religious ideas. Some have emphasized legalism—for example, Jews insisted on obedience to the law, such as circumcision, as a requirement. Some insisted on the observation of ceremonial rituals, while others believed and practiced dietary laws as the key to salvation. Others taught and believed in the existence of a higher knowledge above Scripture that could enlighten and save people. Some people have even gone to the heights of denying that Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us against bible teaching that: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition rather than on Christ” (Colossians 2:8).
As much as these different teachings might, in one way or another, promote good manners and good living, the truth is as Paul put it; salvation is found only through Jesus Christ and Him crucified. “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). Paul, and by extension the early church, experienced persecution, but the good news is that the church kept growing by bounds even after persecution. The trick that Satan seems to be employing is to infiltrate the church with false teachings that take our eyes off our only hope—Jesus Christ. Life is no longer about what tomorrow brings or even about our past, but about a hope that transcends time, a hope greater than any earthly treasure we can find here—the hope that we have in Christ and His perfect plan for our salvation.
False teachings are meant to divert our eyes from the true hope in Christ.Deceptive philosophies and human traditions are tools Satan uses to shift our focus away from Christ.
Despite persecution, Paul and the early church continued to grow and spread the gospel.
This demonstrates that the truth of Christ cannot be stopped by human opposition or false teachings.
I want you to read the main text for this week’s lesson study from “The Message” paraphrase in modern English:
I am not going to comment on that today; we have the rest of the week to do that.
Well, I want to read the main text from The Clear Word if you don’t mind. Though as you may know the English Standard Version is one of the most accurate.
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. I don’t mind repeating what I’ve said, because if you hear it again, it will safeguard you even more than before. Phil. 3.2 Watch out for those who are constantly needling you about getting circumcised before you can become Christians. They’re as irritating as dogs who never stop barking. They’re trying to convince you that you have to be cut in the flesh to be saved. That just isn’t so. Phil. 3.3 The circumcision that counts is the circumcision of the heart, of which the outward circumcision is only a symbol. This means that we rejoice in what Jesus Christ has done for us. Our confidence is not in ourselves and what we can do to earn salvation. Phil. 3.4 If anyone could have confidence in himself to earn salvation, I certainly could. Phil. 3.5 I was circumcised an Israelite from the tribe of Benjamin when I was eight days old. I grew up and was trained in the strictest Pharisaic tradition. If there ever was a real Hebrew, I was one. I kept the Jewish laws so well that I was made a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish national council! Phil. 3.6 Sincere? Was I ever! In fact, I was so sincere that the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem entrusted me with the responsibility to rid the country of Christians. As far as external conformity to the law was concerned, I was blameless. Phil. 3.7 I once thought that all these external things would save me, but now I know they’re worthless. My hope is not in myself and what I have done, but in Jesus Christ. Phil. 3.8 Everything I did before and all the honors I received are worthless compared to the priceless treasure of having Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. Whatever I had and did was nothing but rubbish in comparison to knowing Him. Phil. 3.9 Now I have a righteousness which was given to me by Jesus Christ through faith in Him. This righteousness comes directly from God through faith, not through works. Phil. 3.10 All I want is to know Christ more fully and to experience still more of the power of His resurrection in my life. To be more like Him I know I have to experience suffering as He did and be ready to die for Him as He did for me. Phil. 3.11 Yes, I’m willing to die for Him because I have the hope of being raised from the dead just as He was.
I too will commit later this week. I have to write to you about AI.
Why is the ESV the most accurate? Do you mean just for Paul’s writings or for all of the Bible? A genuine question, as I’ve never heard this before. I’ve always been told that the KJV is the most accurate.
I don’t think most people feel the KJV is most accurate, especially since the translators did not have access to various texts (for example the Dead Sea Scrolls). There is a significant group of Christians and also Adventists who are KJV only and of course they try to emphasize that it is the most accurate. I don’t think they have as much support as they would like, however.
The ESV is a more literal Bible and these are generally the most true to the original text. It is not the only one, however. The NASB and NRSV are also in this category as are the NKJV and some others.
I have heard that for the New Testament, the NASB is best, but some people prefer the ESV. When I study, I try to read the text I’m studying in the NKJV, ESV, NASB, and NRSV. To be honest, they have differences, but not big ones. Even more dynamic translations like the NIV (which has always been my favorite) do not really differ that much from the others. I don’t think we should stress too much over versions, but using many is a good idea.
My pastor said the English Standard Version as the most accurate is what he was taught at Andrew’s University. I like to make AU as my authority outside the Bible as much as possible. I am talking about the whole Bible. My pastor says there are over 1300 errors in the King James Version. I am not saying to discard the KJV. I am saying my preference is the English Standard Version. I use many versions for better understanding and just purchased Strongs Concordance on Kindle. And yes, I know it uses the King James Version of the Bible. My pastor recommended the Strongs Concordance also. I have had Seventh-day Adventists Commentaries available. Oh yes, my carry along Bible is Andrew’s Study Bible, it uses the New King James Version, Doug Batchelor’s favorite. My wife gave me a few years back. It has a lot of good helps.
God bless you in your Spiritual quest.
I suspect that different professors at Andrews might have different perspectives on the most accurate Bible. The church has never made a statement about the most accurate Bible and even among academics, there are differences of opinion. The ESV is definitely a good Bible. I personally like the NASB the best for literal translations, but it doesn’t really matter that much.
Different Bibles are produced by different groups. Ideally, accurate Bibles have large translation teams and this weeds out errors. However, no Bible is without some bias. The ESV, rightly or wrongly, has been labeled a complementarian Bible. Many of the people involved in its creation are strong supporters of the idea that women should not be leaders in the church. Some of that does come through in the translation of certain passages, though the ESV is quite good at giving footnotes that show you other translation options. On the flip side, you have the New Revised Standard version which is very committed to being gender neutral. Some like that Bible for that reason, others don’t.
That’s why I feel using many translations is best and a lot of Bible scholars say the same. Read as many literal translations as you can, along with dynamic equivalent translations. When you are trying to understand a passage, compare them. You will actually find that the differences between them are not as great as you might think, but where there are differences, consider them all in your interpretations.
I am happy to be a part of this beautiful Bible series!
In the topic of the week Trusting in Christ alone I want to share my short testimony with a question whose answers will help me understand more.
Actually I am a young man of 22 years old. In 2023 I faced a case in the high court in Dar es Salaam here in Tanzania, while in prison for a year and a half I did not stop sharing the testimony of the gospel with my fellow prisoners, all the while my fellow students in the word did not stop questioning about their new relationship with Jesus and how to trust Him in their challenges of imprisonment
Perhaps I should explain this clearly, the Bible is full of stories, Several times it reports Abraham as lying to avoid death (Genesis 12:12) and chapter 20,
Jacob deceiving his Father to take blessings for himself, (Genesis 27:30).
And the Midwives in Egypt with Rahab the prostitute for the sake of saving lives
How does faith in Christ alone guide us in the difficult circumstances of justice, law, and human life?
And can we sometimes lie in self-defense to save lives?
Thank-you Musa for your testimony. Praise the Lord for your faithfulness. 🙏
Dear Brother Musa,
Thank you so much for sharing your testimony with us! God’s Spirit has been with you to witness in prison. I do not know much about Tanzania so I went onto Open Doors website and found this:
I’ve never been arrested and put in prison for my faith. Watching friends and family be killed by militants, I’m sure there is the thought about lying to save lives. As you so clearly say, it’s a difficult circumstance of justice, law, and human life, a situation where you need so much faith in Jesus 🙏🏻.
I think your question is, “Is it OK to lie in these situations to protect lives?” And you give several Bible examples where people like Rehab lied for justice to be served.
Let me share these Bible texts with you. God is a God of truth “who never lies” (Titus 1:2). “Let God be true though every one were a liar” (Romans 3:4). And consequentially, his people are people of truth. We are “fellow workers for the truth” (3 John 8). We “speak the truth with [our] neighbor” (Ephesians 4:25). “For we cannot do anything against the truth” (2 Corinthians 13:8). We “do not lie to one another” (Colossians 3:9). We do not join the devil in his nature, for “when he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). Revelation 21:8, 27 says that God’s eternal kingdom will not house liars or anyone who does what is false. The Church is to be “a pillar and buttress of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15).
Here are my thoughts about NOT LYING: Truth is at the heart of who God is and at the heart of who we are as his people. As new creatures in Christ, we can’t use the weapons of the world- like lying – even if our motives align with God’s own heart to save lives. Instead, we are to trust God with the outcomes.
Here are my thoughts about LYING FOR SAVING ANOTHER’S LIFE (not for selfish gain….Abraham lied to save himself): Rahab told a lie to wicked people to save the righteous, for God‘s greater good, not her own. James 2:25 tells us that Rahab was justified, why? For confessing her belief in God and for showing faith by tying the scarlet rope in the window (not for lying). Another example is when the God-fearing Hebrew midwives disobeyed pharaoh’s command to kill all male newborns. They lied to pharaoh saying that the babies were born before they could reach the mothers (Ex. 1:19). We hear that God dealt well with the midwives(Ex. 1:20-21). These midwives who feared God, like Rahab, were steeped in a sinful lying culture. God does not condemn our ignorance during our emerging faith in Him, but honors our response to the Holy Spirit and grows us in His character.
So how can we protect life? We do not have to say everything we are thinking or everything we know about a particular matter. We may remain silent. We may attempt to distract the questionnaires and pray that God will provide and deliver from danger. Most of all, continue pray without ceasing. We are all praying with you, Brother Musa, for wisdom and strength and courage in a very difficult time.
Faith in Christ alone means trusting Jesus as Lord and Savior, relying on His teachings and guidance even when earthly laws, justice systems, or life situations are challenging.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)
This shows that Christ is not only our Savior but also the standard for moral and ethical decisions.
Phil.3:2-3
”Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,..”
Phil.3:7-9
v.9 – “… and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but hat which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;”
Phil.3:12-14
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
v.14 – I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Phil.1:10
“..that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth – in Him.”
Is our confidence in Christ or still in ‘self’? There are many types of circumcision-like prerequisites – requirements by unregenerate man with which to obstruct the freedom we have by faith in Christ Jesus. One is the engagement in ‘good works’ – works, generated by ‘self-justification’, ‘self-righteousness’, and guilt. Speaking of and sharing God’s regenerative Love, prompted and sustained by the Holy Spirit within us, is the only way our ‘works’ bring forth Their spiritual fruit.
Today’s lesson references the Protestant Reformation which I think is so appropriate as we’re headed back into an End Times Dark Ages. The Roman Church and Protestant churches are once again uniting with state to lift up the traditions of men, the deeds of men, church regulations and rules as moral authority, superseding the words of scripture. Many who call themselves religious are not standing on the Word of God alone….”sola scriptura”.
And so we see a real visible contrast increasing between Christ’s power and the world’s power. As I come to know Him….as the memory text says… I experience Jesus’ power. It’s the only power I want. 🙏🏻
The power of Jesus Christ’s resurrection is reconciliation with God, trust in my Maker, inner peace, a clear conscience, ability to obey God as I submit in the moment, unity with His children, the assurance of God’s love, increasing humility and patience, acknowledgment of inner weakness, dependence on Christ alone. Those who receive God‘s power are changed in God‘s own timing and in God‘s own way… It takes time and looks different for each person, like the wind blowing is always a unique and unexplainable pattern , as Jesus said in John 3:8. Christ’s followers don’t police each other, but keep their eyes only on Jesus to work out (not work for) their own salvation, Phil. 2:12-13. Workout, like daily, intentionally working out a muscle that has been given to us. A faith muscle. 💪🏼 ✝️ 🕊️
The world’s power… no matter which angle you take, without Christ as the heart… is focused on some mixture of fear, pressure, censorship, enforcing negotiations, brutality, authority, compliance, manipulation, compelled morality, lies, punishment, division, anger, superiority complex, pride, confusion, lack of meaning. The world is focused on pointing fingers at everyone else rather than focused on personal repentance and worshipping only our Savior God.
Paul wrote, “indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” (Phil. 3:8)
Maurice wrote a good post on AI, and I wonder how the use of AI for Bible study may affect our “knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.”
Christina suggested that the more effort we put into Bible study, the more we will benefit. Is it possible that the use of AI may get between us and knowing Christ?
If you haven’t already done so, please read Maurice Ashton’s post, “Artificial Intelligence — Powerful Tool or Misleading Scam?“
The role and risk of technology in our spiritual lives.AI can help explain difficult words, historical context, and Bible passages.It can provide new insights, summaries and examples.If we rely on AI instead of personal reading and reflection, we may weaken our direct relationship with Christ.AI is a tool, not a substitute for the Holy Spirit.Knowing Christ requires personal prayer, meditation, and reflection, which no machine can replace.
A relationship with Christ cannot be mediated by technology; it requires direct communication with God.We should use AI as a support, not a replacement for Scripture and prayer.
Daily personal study and prayer remain essential.
I agree that “A relationship with Christ cannot be mediated by technology; it requires direct communication with God.”
I also agree that “AI can help explain difficult words, historical context.” It’s a little faster than using a dictionary or going to the library to look up historical context.
However, that’s where my agreement ends.
Yes, AI will gladly “explain Bible passages,” but that is a deadly trap. Quite aside from the hallucinations that currently plague AI, the task of explaining Bible passages to us belongs to the Holy Spirit Who inspired these passages in the first place. Christ (John 14:16-26)
So if we consult AI to explain Bible passages, we are asking it to do the work of the Holy Spirit. Can you see how that might be a problem?
The same is true for expecting AI to “provide new insights.” That is what the Holy Spirit does for us if we read and study the Bible prayerfully. Expecting AI to provide new spiritual insights is a trap of Satan to separate us from our only Source of wisdom and strength.
The Bible is not just a collection of facts and stories. It, along with prayer, is the means by which we enter into the presence of God.
The way I see it, AI can help our spiritual experience just as much as a donkey can and no more. But then God did use a donkey once to speak to an errant prophet!
If you have not already done so, please read “Artificial Intelligence — Powerful Tool or Misleading Scam?“ and the comments beneath the post. (I’m going to post the rest of my response to you there.)
To be clear, we need the guidance of the Holy Spirit whatever tools we use to aide our understanding of scripture. He knows how to lead His children to truth.
Salvation starts with Jesus loving me first. But to accept Jesus’s sacrifice for me, I have to learn what He really did. And if I rationally understand His motivation, I’ll start to admire His act. The more I get to know Him, the more I love Him. By His love, I do something in return. Salvation starts with Jesus loving me first.
Justification by faith is justification by works that depends on the bigger work Jesus Christ has already accomplished for us.
The lesson calls Us to remain faithful in Him who resurrected for us to Experience the same if we remain firm in him.