Philippians 3:4-7

Passage

However, I have reason for confidence in the flesh also.  If anyone thinks that they have reason to be confident in the things of the flesh, I have more.  I am circumcised on the 8^th day: a Hebrew of the tribe of Benjamin – a Hebrew out of Hebrews.  According to the Law, I am a Pharisee.  According to zeal, I am a persecutor of the church.  According to righteousness – the righteousness in the Law – I am, after becoming blameless.  But whatever profit I was having I have considered a loss because of Christ.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul now speaks about fleshly qualifications.  As we read these words, we need to understand that Paul isn’t trying to puff himself up.  He’s not trying to say that he is better than anyone else.  What he is trying to do is set up the importance of Christ and the hindrances of the world.  Let me give an example of what he is doing.  Who will be best able to speak to the struggle of alcoholism – a person who has never had alcohol or a person who was an alcoholic and who has sobered up?  This is the same argument Paul is making.  The person best able to speak about casting off the fame of the world is the one who has cast off much fame.

What role can your life struggles play in your testimony to the world?  What are the things that you have struggled to overcome in Christ?  Who might you be able to help through that struggle?

Second Thought:

Regarding Paul’s heritage, one would say that he literally had it all from a Jewish perspective.  He was born of Jews.  He was circumcised according to the proper tradition.  He took the study of God’s Word very seriously.  He persecuted those who were taking God’s Word in non-traditional directions.  Paul was one of the up and coming rising stars among Jewish leaders of his day.   He had the right pedigree and life circumstances to truly make a name for himself in Jewish circles.  His plate was set for him for probably the rest of his life.

What does this passage tell us about Paul’s fame, reputation, and life trajectory prior to meeting Christ?  How hard do you think Paul had to work to get himself into that position?  What human fame, reputation, glory, or life trajectory do you have in your life?

Third Thought:

Paul lowers the boom in verse 7.  Whatever he had as profit he now counts as a loss because of Christ.  Take seriously the power of this verse.  Paul is saying that all the stuff in his life of which he was once proud was actually a hindrance!  It wasn’t a wash or something neutral; it was actually a loss!  It was something to be overcome.  The claim Paul is making is that human success – that is, success apart from God’s will – is actually a hindrance in our spiritual life.

Do you believe this?  What human successes – things that the world would say are good – are actually hindering you from being able to do God’s will?  If you believe what Paul is teaching here, how can you help yourself avoid the pitfalls of having successes in this world of which God is not a part?

Passage for Tomorrow: Philippians 3:8-11