Today we begin looking at chapter 3 of Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Read the chapter and we’re focusing on verses 1 – 9 :  Rejoice – but be careful of wrong motivation.  Paul continues to encourage the Philippian believers to rejoice in their Christian life but doesn’t want them to be unaware of possible dangers along the way.  Paul identifies challenges they need to watch out for, so they keep safe in their beliefs and practices. He’s happy to repeat his teaching so they really understand what’s important, confidence and trust in Christ alone.   In verses 2 – 3 Paul warns them to beware of false teaching and the damaging influence of the Jewish group who advocated that new gentile Christians should be circumcised. Paul uses a very derogatory term, Dogs, a harsh insult usually used by the Jews towards the gentiles, in reference to the dirty animals living on the streets, therefore being unclean and unacceptable according to Old Testament law.  Paul turns the reference back on the Jewish group who are wanting to put confidence in what they do, circumcision to the flesh, rather than trusting in Jesus’ death and sacrifice on the cross. This circumcision group were looking back to the law of Moses and the old covenant rather than looking to Jesus.  Paul stresses that Christians now worship in spirit under a new covenant (Jeremiah 31: 31), not by obeying the law or being circumcised.  To illustrate his position Paul lists his own credentials, v. 5 – 6, circumcised, a Jew, from the tribe of Benjamin, follower of the law, a pharisee –   very impressive! probably more qualified than those legalists who were telling the Philippian Christians what they should do.  Paul’s background, what he once considered important, culture, law, heritage, counts for nothing, he actually calls it ‘rubbish’, in comparison to knowing Christ. He speaks of loss and gain, happy to lose all that to gain so much in Christ. Paul’s message to the Philippian believers is that faith is no longer about outward signs and laws, but inward transformation of their hearts, worshipping God in spirit. So, he says rejoice and accept that Christ has done everything necessary to save you and may knowing him and worshipping him be your only motivation.

Knowing Jesus is not about being good enough, important enough or following legalistic rules and regulations, rather it’s all about entering into a relationship with Jesus and trusting in what he did to save us. There’s nothing more we can ‘do’ because salvation is not achieved by pleasing God through our works, but rather by accepting God’s grace and living a life transformed through faith. (Ephesians 2: 8 – 9)

Do we have a tendency to put confidence or importance in our position and responsibility or in what we ‘do’ for God in terms of our Christian service?

What things may we need to lose from our life, so we gain space, time, or freedom, to worship and know God more?

This Graham Kendrick song, based on these verses, came to mind, so I follow John’s example from chapter 2 and use a song to help us reflect on the passage.

All I once held dear, built my life upon
All this world reveres, and wars to own
All I once thought gain I have counted loss
Spent and worthless now, compared to this

Knowing You, Jesus, Knowing You
There is no greater thing, you’re my all, You’re the best
You’re my joy, my righteousness, And I love You, Lord


Category: The Bridge , Thought for the week