5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel,
of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in re-gard to the law, a Pharisee; - P90
6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousnessbased on the law, faultless.
61 was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, Iobeyed the law without fault. - P91
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss forthe sake of Christ.
71 once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthlessbecause of what Christ has done.
- P91
8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because ofthe surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,
for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider themgarbage, that I may gain Christd with the infinite value of knowing - P91
9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of myown that comes from the law, but that which is throughfaith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from Godon the basis of faith.
9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness throughobeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God‘s way ofmaking us right with himself depends on faith. - P91
Paul warns against evildoers. He says that those who serve God by His Spiritand put no confidence in the flesh are the circumcision. - P91
He has more reasonthan anyone to put confidence in the flesh. But whatever was gain to him henow considers loss for the sake of Christ. - P91
Paul‘s righteousness does not comefrom the law but from God on the basis of faith. - P91
While remaining in a posture of rejoicing, Paul shifts his focus to address false
teaching that has arisen among
the Philippian believers. - P92
Thebelievers are warned against Jewish legalists who argue that Gentile believers
need to be circumcised in order to be saved. - P92
Because this clearlyviolates the fundamental teachings of the gospel, Paul condemns thesepeople as "dogs" and "evildoers" against whom the church must be on guard. - P92
For us today, this is a sobering reminder about the dangers offalse teaching it is an evil that puts souls at risk as it lures them awayfrom the truth of the gospel. - P92
Let us remember that our confidence isnot in the flesh but in the gospel, the power of God to save all who believe. - P92
With his impressive résumé of Jewish heritage and radical zeal for thelaw, Paul has more reason to boast in the flesh than most other Jews.
- P92
But as he looks back on his past through the lens of the gospel, he ex-periences nothing but shame and grief over his meaningless endeavors.
- P92
He declares that Christ is the only worthwhile pursuit in his life. - P92
Jesusenlightens our eyes with the truth, saves us by His grace, and putsus on the sure path toward eternal glory. - P92
Everything we might haveconsidered as worldly gain is garbage compared to Him. - P92
And even oursuffering for His sake is worth it, for we are walking in His footstepsand inching ever closer to His perfection. - P92
"Christianity removes the attraction of the earth; and this is one way in which itdiminishes men‘s burden. It makes them citizens of another world."
- Henry Drummond - P92
And yet, when Godpresents us with real, priceless gifts, we so oftengo on clutching our self-made counterfeits. - P93
The longer I walk withChrist, the more I wish I had thrown away all my idols sooner! - P93
Whatļis holding you back from fully giving yourself to Christ? - P93
Let it go andembrace what He has for you. - P93
You will discover a depth and richnessto life that you never thought imaginable. - P93
Father, I repent of those times when I let worldly accomplishments competewith the joy that I have in Jesus Christ. - P93
Help me to be conformed to His imageas I put my confidence in Him alone. In His name, amen. - P93
20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerlyawait a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerlywaiting for him to return as our Savior. - P95
Paul wants to know the power of Christ‘s resurrection and participation inHis sufferings. He presses on toward the prize for which God has called himin Christ Jesus. - P95
He invites believers to follow his example. Those who liveas enemies of Christ are destined for destruction. But believers have theircitizenship in heaven. - P95
What is your mission statement that one thing which you want tolive for? In this passage, Paul states his single passion and goal: to havean experiential knowledge of the resurrection power of Jesus Christ;he wants to identify with Him in His sufferings, death, and new life.
- P96
Paul acknowledges that this is a lifelong goal that he has to deliberatelypursue. - P96
In our call to follow Christ, we cannot become complacent ordistracted but must remain focused and intentional, like disciplinedathletes. - P92
To take hold of Him, we have to let go of lesser things, whichwe can do through the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
- P92
Through Him, we are enabled to live for the glory of God. - P92
|