Philippians 3:1-11 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Philippians 3:1-11. It contains some powerful lessons that show us the difference between religion and a relationship with God. Let’s go!
Philippians 3:1-3 (NIV)
1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
2 Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh.
3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh–
On verses 1-3: Paul turns his attention to reminding his church in Philippi of a warning he had given them before. He tells the Philippians to watch out for “those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh” (2), those who will lead the Philippians astray from their hope in Christ. Who exactly are “those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh”? It was the Judaizers, a group that claimed that in order to be saved, it is not enough to believe in Christ, but one must also be circumcised according to the Jewish law. Paul would spend much of his time refuting the Judaizers’ teaching and showing that it is only by faith in Jesus Christ that we are saved and made righteous (i.e. blameless and acceptable) in God’s sight, and that circumcision counts for nothing.
Why would Paul call the Judaizers “dogs”? It’s because historically the Judaizers would call themselves “the circumcision” and call Gentile Christians “dogs”. So here Paul is using the Judaizers’ own language against them, calling them dogs for leading sincere Gentile Christians astray. At the same time, Paul is reassuring his uncircumcised Gentile Christian brothers and sisters that actually, because of their faith in Jesus Christ, they are the real “circumcised” ones, the ones who truly worship by the Spirit of God. Paul’s point is that when it comes to being saved, one must “put no confidence in the flesh” (v3). In other words, don’t try to earn salvation by your own effort. Instead, put total confidence in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross.
“It is no trouble” for Paul (v1) to write this way because nothing gives him more joy than preaching about the righteousness we have in Jesus Christ. Also “it is a safeguard” for the Philippians (v1) to hear this from Paul again. The fact is we can never hear the Gospel message enough: that our righteousness before God is not something we can earn, but a gift that we receive purely by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:4-9 (NIV)
4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:
5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;
6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.
On verses 4-6: After telling his church in Philippi not to put confidence “in the flesh” (i.e. in one’s own abilities, accomplishments and background), why does Paul start listing so many of his own religious accomplishments and pedigree? It’s because Paul is trying to prove a point to the Philippians: the reason Paul rejects the Judaizers’ teaching is not because Paul cannot live up to the Judaizer’s teaching. In fact, in verses 4 to 6 Paul shows that if he wanted to, Paul could have been the greatest Judaizer of all, since he had so much he could boast about in his accomplishments and background. That’s why he says in verse 4: “though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more”. But instead of putting his hope in any of his previous accomplishments or background, Paul rejects all of it for the singular hope he now has in Jesus Christ.
One day when you stand before God, God will not ask you to present him with a resume of your accomplishments and background to decide whether or not you go to heaven. He’ll simply ask you: What did you do with my Son Jesus Christ? Did you humbly receive Him, or did you pridefully reject Him?
Paul’s desire for his church in Philippi, and similarly my desire for you, is that you would base your hope for heaven not on your own accomplishments, abilities or background, but rather that your hope would be in Christ and Christ alone.
Philippians 3:7-11 (NIV)
7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
8 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
9 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.
On verses 7-10: Instead of putting his hope in his accomplishments or background, Paul says that he considers all of that “a loss” for the sake of Christ. It’s all “rubbish” to him compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus Christ. Jesus did not come to give us another religion, that is, a list of rules we follow to earn our way to God. Rather, Jesus came to give us a relationship with God.
Religion is about rules you need to follow to earn your way to God. Christianity is about a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. One is man-made, the other is God’s idea. One will lead you to hell, the other will lead you to heaven. One will fill you with fear, the other with peace. One is based on lies, the other based on truth. One can’t take a person to heaven, the other does.
No religion could ever compare to a relationship with Jesus Christ!
Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)
10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
On verses 10-11: Remember that Paul is writing these words while not knowing if he is going to be executed shortly for his faith. At this point all Paul wants is to know Christ, His resurrection power and an intimate friendship with God that Paul experiences as he suffers for the gospel. His desire is that he would experience God’s resurrection power in his current situation.
Similarly, the longer you walk with Jesus, I pray that the simpler your faith will get: that your life would be more and more just about knowing Jesus intimately and letting His power be displayed in and through your life. May you see your sufferings not as punishment from God but as an opportunity to draw close to Him and become more like Christ.
Heavenly Father, thank You that You came not to give us another religion, not just another man-made program of hopelessly trying to earn our way to You. Rather You came to give us freedom, purpose and real life through a relationship with You. Since righteousness is by faith in Christ alone, may I be careful not to put my confidence in my own flesh — my accomplishments, my background, my “goodness”. Instead may my hope always be in Jesus Your Son and what He did on the cross for me. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
Copyright © 2021 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.
