View an in-depth discussion of Confidence Only in Christ in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris.
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With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

Daily Lesson for Wednesday 4th of February 2026

Paul’s main point must not be missed. There was a wonderful exchange that he experienced on the Damascus road, trading his old, law-based life for the presence of Christ Himself—“that I may gain Christ and be found in Him” (Philippians 3:8-9, NKJV).

Image © Kevin Carden at Goodsalt.com

Paul’s reference to being in Christ has been widely discussed. Not surprisingly, perhaps the best explanation of it comes from Paul himself: “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” (Ephesians 1:10, NKJV). That has been God’s purpose from the start. And Paul makes clear how that happens: “You are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30, NKJV).

Being “in Christ” comprehends everything that the plan of salvation encompasses, from the dawning of our spiritual intelligence (wisdom), to justification by faith (righteousness), to preparation for heaven (sanctification), and finally to glorification at the Second Advent (redemption). Salvation is Christ’s work from start to finish—for us and in us. Thus, by gaining Christ, we have everything we need.

As Paul came to realize, having one’s “own righteousness” is not real righteousness because the law cannot give life (see Galatians 3:21-22); only Christ can, through faith. And not just any faith. After all, the devils believe and tremble (James 2:19). The only saving faith is “the faith of Christ.” Only His faith has obeyed fully and can obey. (The Greek word for faith, pistis, also means faithfulness.) So, if we are in Christ and He lives in us (Galatians 2:20), then we live by His faith through our faith in Him.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-06-the-faith-of-christ/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-06-the-faith-of-christ

Yet 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 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; Philippians 3:8-9 NKJV.

As I read this passage while studying this week’s Sabbath School lesson, I could not help but think about Jesus’ counsel to the church of Laodicea. While Laodicea had good works that were hot, their motives were cold. Righteousness is hot.  Self is cold. So their self-righteousness left them lukewarm. 

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. Revelation 3:17.

How plainly is pictured the position of those who think they have all the truth, who take pride in their knowledge of the Word of God, while its sanctifying power has not been felt in their lives. The fervor of the love of God is wanting in their hearts.

Many are Laodiceans, living in a spiritual self-deception. They clothe themselves in the garments of their own righteousness, imagining themselves to be rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing, when they need daily to learn of Jesus, His meekness and lowliness.

What is it that constitutes the wretchedness, the nakedness, of those who feel rich and increased with goods? It is the want of the righteousness of Christ. In their own righteousness they are represented as clothed with filthy rags, and yet in this condition they flatter themselves that they are clothed upon with Christ’s righteousness…. They may be crying, “The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord are we,” while their hearts are filled with unholy traffic and unrighteous barter. The courts of the soul temple may be the haunt of envy, pride, passion, evil surmising, bitterness, and hollow formalism. Christ looks mournfully upon His professed people who feel rich and increased in the knowledge of the truth, and who are yet destitute of the truth in life and character.

Jesus says, “I, your Redeemer, know your works. I am familiar with the motives that prompt you to declare boastingly in regard to your spiritual condition, ‘I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.’ Thou ‘knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.’” …

What a position to be in! They stand in their own light. But notwithstanding their willful ignorance, they are not left by the Lord without added warning and counsel. – Ellen White, Our High Calling, Page 349

Jesus continues his counsel to Laodicea,

I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. Revelation 3:18 NKJV

Photo by Pablo Heimplatz on Unsplash

Salvation is free, so why is Jesus telling us to buy gold refined in the fire and white garments? I believe Jesus wants us to use the bartering system. He wants us to trade in our self-righteousness. The refining fire removes self-confidence as we trade in our self-reliant righteousness and accept Jesus’ robe of righteousness. Like Paul in Philippians 3, we need to let go of our self-righteousness and take on Christ’s righteousness as our own. This has been an ongoing struggle with humanity throughout history. In Numbers 13, the children of Israel could have put their faith in God’s love and taken the promised land, but instead they looked at themselves and thought it could not be done. Because of their lack of faith, God tells them in Numbers 14 that they will not be able to enter the promised land, but their children will in 40 years. But at the end of Numbers 14, Israel decides to go ahead and take the land by themselves, and they ended up getting defeated. They failed to learn in Numbers 13 that with God’s grace, they can do all things, and in Numbers 14 they failed to learn that without that same grace they can do nothing. 

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;  for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13 NKJV. 

I believe that our work is to get ourselves out of the way so that God can do His work in us. 

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. Revelation 3:19-21 NKJV. 

Jesus is rebuking us of our self-righteous pride, because He loves us. When self is dead, Jesus sees us as overcomers just like Him! What is impossible to do in our own strength, we can do in God’s strength and grace. Self-righteousness is only a pretended righteousness, while the righteousness of Christ, which is by faith, makes righteousness a reality. 

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. Hebrews 11:8 NKJV.

Abraham disobeyed God when he put faith in himself. This is why Abraham had to be circumcised. Self-confidence in the flesh had to be removed. When Abraham wholly relied on God, and put His faith in God instead of relying on self he obeyed. This is why today our hearts need to be circumcised. The heart is deceitful and leads us to trust ourselves. Once the self is dead, God’s grace gives us genuine obedience. 

Jesus rebukes us because he sees potential in us. Once while working at UPS, I did something that made my supervisor very upset. He chewed me out to the point where I thought I was about to be fired. But then he turned around and said, “You may think I am getting too upset about this, but when you become a supervisor, you will understand.” So he rebuked me and then talked about me becoming a supervisor one day, which I did!

Likewise, Jesus rebukes us because He sees us as overcomers, as He overcame, once we repent of our self-reliant righteousness and accept the righteousness of Christ as our righteousness. 

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/the-self-righteousness-of-laodicea/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-self-righteousness-of-laodicea

Daily Lesson for Tuesday 3rd of February 2026

As yesterday’s study pointed out, the things that previously made Paul proud were actually hindrances to faith because they blinded him to his need of Christ. Paul uses the language of commerce, gain and loss, to describe his spiritual ledger prior to faith. Although we don’t like to think about it much, every human being has a “spiritual ledger.” Previously, Paul’s ledger was measured by the Jewish values of the time rather than by the biblical values as taught by Jesus.

After his conversion, his spiritual ledger looked very different because its scale of values dramatically changed, from the “currency” of Judaism to the “currency of heaven.”

Image © Rolf Jansson from GoodSalt.com

“He who came down from heaven can speak of heaven, and rightly present the things which form the currency of heaven, on which he has stamped his image and superscription. He knows the danger in which those are placed whom he came to uplift from degradation, and to exalt to a place beside himself upon his throne. He points out their peril in lavishing affection upon useless and dangerous objects. He seeks to draw the mind away from the earthly to the heavenly, that we may not waste time, talent, and opportunity, upon things that are altogether vanity.”—Ellen G. White, in The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, July 1, 1890.

In the world of first-century Judaism, Paul had been a rapidly rising star until, by becoming blind at the sight of the glorified Jesus on the Damascus road (Acts 9:1-43), his spiritual eyesight was corrected, and he saw clearly.

What could be more valuable than eternal life in heaven and on the new earth? Yet worldly values blind so many to this reality. There is an inherent competition between the things valued here (see Matthew 13:22; Luke 4:5-6; 1 John 2:16) and the things Heaven values—likeness to Christ and souls saved.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-06-the-things-that-matter/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-06-the-things-that-matter

The great lesson we learn from dear Paul this quarter is that we are to 
Stand Up! Stand Up For Jesus! – Hymn 618. This is a beautiful theme hymn to give us a great reminder of what we need in our world that is falling apart these days.

With our “Confidence Only In Christ” we can show that
My Faith Looks Up To Thee – Hymn 517 and 
My Faith Has Found A Resting Place – Hymn 523 all because 
God Is My Salvation – Hymn 339.

As Sunday’s lesson states, we will be “Rejoicing In The Lord” and sing 
Rejoice, The Lord Is King – Hymn 221. As followers of our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ we will be 
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee – Hymn 12 and show that we 
Only Trust Him – Hymn 279.

Tuesday continues with learning about faith, so we are able to sing the hymns as above: 
My Faith Looks Up To Thee – Hymn 517 and 
My Faith Has Found A Resting Place – Hymn 339. The subject of faith is again presented to us on Wednesday and at the end of that study includes 
O Brother, Be Faithful – Hymn 602.

With all the knowledge gained in the week’s study, we can say 
I Know Whom I Have Believed – Hymn 511 and pray 
Come, Holy Spirit – Hymn 269 and Hover O’er Me Holy Spirit – Hymn 260. We are encouraged more to “press on toward the goal” and gain 
Higher Ground – Hymn 625.

Please continue to search the scriptures this week to be blessed, and to bless others.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org/Search and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/6-confidence-only-in-christ-singing-with-inspiration/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=6-confidence-only-in-christ-singing-with-inspiration