INTRODUCTION

Paul testified that he was one of the most religious people that ever lived. When defending himself before the religious leaders of his day, he said that he “lived a Pharisee” “after the most straitest sect” of his religion. He “profited in the Jews’ religion above many” of his equals (Galatians 1:14And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
See All...). Paul’s devotion to his religion was so striking that many heard of his “conversation [lifestyle] in time past in the Jews’ religion” (Galatians 1:13For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
See All...). If any individual could have had confidence in his religious efforts, it would have been the apostle Paul (Philippians 3:4-6 [4] And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power. [5] Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet. [6] He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting.
See All...). After all, he was blameless “touching the righteousness which is in the law” (Philippians 3:6He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting.
See All...). However, in spite of his religious fervor and devotion, the apostle Paul was lost and on his way to hell until he trusted Jesus Christ as Saviour (Philippians 3:7-11 [7] I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble. [8] Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation? [9] Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers. [10] The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high. [11] The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear.
See All...). Paul later considered his earlier “service to God” to be nothing more than dung.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Read Luke 18:9-14 [9] And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: [10] Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. [11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. [12] I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. [13] And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
  See All.... The Pharisee was proud of what he did and did not do. The publican was willing to admit that he had sinned and depended on God's mercy to clear his guilt. This again proves that works can never save (Titus 3:5-7 [5] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; [6] Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; [7] That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
  See All...; Ephesians 2:8-9 [8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
  See All...).
• (For everyone): What are some religious credentials of which Paul could boast (Philippians 3:4-6 [4] And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power. [5] Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet. [6] He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting.
  See All...)? Why did these credentials fall short of satisfying Paul’s needs?
• What are some religious credentials that people most often boast of today (i.e., baptism, church membership, tithing)? How do each of these fall short of giving man what he truly needs?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to help you rely on His Son rather than upon your religion.
• Ask the Lord to open the eyes of those trusting in their religion for salvation.

HYMN

WHY DO YOU WAIT?

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