Philippians 3:1-11

Paul has written much about the adversity a believer faces because of his or her faith in Jesus Christ. He was a living example of someone who stood for his faith, but was now imprisoned because of his stance. For several chapters, Paul has been asking his readers to look past circumstances and endure whatever obstacles come their way, but now he begins to warn the church at Philippi about false teachers. He seems to single out Jews who were depending on their circumcision for salvation (3:2-3). When a person looks to any external works in order to gain a relationship with God, it compromises the very sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins. Paul challenges his readers to “have no confidence in the flesh.” If anyone could be confident in his flesh, it was Paul. After all, he was “circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.” Paul had followed the system of Judaism to the extreme, but his righteousness was only external. Paul knew that his works could not earn him favor with God, so he admitted “what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.” False teachers would have the Philippians believe that righteousness is found in what they do, but Paul wanted them to know righteousness is only found in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross (3:7-9). Jesus paid the penalty for our sin by dying in our place. He now offers salvation to anyone who will put their faith in Him and reject their own attempts at righteousness (3:9). Paul’s goal in life was that he would “know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death….” Paul desired an intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Jesus’ resurrection displayed God’s power over life and death and enables us to endure earthly struggles. Jesus suffered and so will the genuine believer, but God provides comfort to the weak and broken-hearted. Believers in Jesus Christ can look past the obstacles of this world with the knowledge that we will be resurrected from the dead and forever be with Christ (3:11).

Dear God, may I look beyond the struggles of this life and see the glories that await me in heaven. But while I am here on earth, please use me to do Your will.