Philippians 3:1-10

1 “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same

things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is

safe.”

Do you see in verse 1 that God, our Master Teacher, knows that

we often need to hear things more than once in order to really

learn them?

2 “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the

concision.”

There are people in this world who can harm us spiritually. We

do well to take heed to God’s warning.

3 “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit,

and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”

The “flesh” spoken of here has to do with outward religious

practices and works. There is a contrast here made between the

“flesh” and the “spirit”. The one is outward, the other is inward.

We are to have no confidence at all in the flesh. Consider how

God speaks to us about this in the book of Romans:

“For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly;

neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly;

and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit,

and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”

Romans 2: 28-29

Paul goes on to explain that he had more reason than anyone

else to trust in his outward works if he chose to:

4 “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other

man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I

more:

5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.”

But Paul knew that he could not put his confidence in the flesh and in Christ at the same time, so he made a choice:

7 “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:”

What is the “righteousness through the faith of Christ”? “

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:” Romans 3: 20-22

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”