Philippines Chapter 3
The Goal of Life
3 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.
- Whenever we gather again to read God’s word
- Whenever we re-read it again and again
- It is no trouble, no bother, not redundant, nor unnecessary
- Instead it is a safeguard for you and I !
2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the [a]false circumcision; 3 for we are the true [b]circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, 4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.
- The Apostle Paul wants us to beware (that means watch out)
- He gave us three things to watch out for:
o Beware of dogs (dogs are led by their hunger bodily urges)
o Beware of evil workers (evil workers are led by evil spirits)
o Beware of the false circumcision (Jews wanting to include the law but who don’t and can’t follow it either) – they simply want power over others
- We are the true circumcision (this is of the heart)
- Who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus
o Reliance upon God alone
- And put no confidence in the flesh
o No confidence means we realize we can’t earn our way into heaven
- Paul had all the credentials:
o Born into a Jewish family
o Circumcised the 8th day (exactly according to the law)
o The tribe of Benjamin (the small but powerful tribe)
o A Hebrew of Hebrews (meaning he followed Jewish customs)
o As to the Law, a Pharisee (a doctor of law)
o As to Zeal (a persecutor of the church)
o Found blameless by the law (very interesting
Intro to Outbless Weekly
Thanks for listening to Outbless.com
