Philippians 3 - Watch Out!

I'm back. Let's go.

Philippians 3:1-4 - ¹Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. ²Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. ³For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— ⁴though I myself have reasons for such confidence"

^"1Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!" - After a couple of chapters discussing how we should live, Paul gives us one of the important keys to living a full life in Christ and that is rejoicing in God. Not just in the good times, but also in the bad times.

"It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you." - Paul was repeating himself from something he said earlier in his letter to the Philippians. The word "safeguard" is interesting because God's Word is our safeguard both morally and theologically. Whether we read it by ourselves or it is taught at church, the Word of God alerts us of changes we need to make in our own lives and encourages us to stand firm upon the truths we believe in.

^"2Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh." - Paul was very likely referring to a religious sect of people known as the Judaizers. These were Jewish Christ Followers who believed it was essential for every Non-Jewish person, (Gentiles), to follow all of the Old Testament laws, especially the rite of circumcision. Paul was criticizing them because their thinking was backwards. They believed it was what they did that made them believers, rather than the free gift of grace that Christ gives.

What Christ followers do is a result of faith, not a prerequisite of faith.

^"3For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus," - When Paul speaks of circumcision in this verse, he is not referring to a literal process or deed. He is referring to the fact that we have been changed by God. We are a new creation. (Galatians 6:15). We worship by the Spirit and we give Jesus every ounce of credit for our lives. We would be nothing without Him.

"and who put no confidence in the flesh—" - We are absolutely hopeless by ourselves, even though there may be times we think that we are the greatest thing since sliced bread. God is greater. Jesus is greater and it is the Holy Spirit's presence in us through the grace of God that makes us what we are. There is no good in us except for Jesus. (Romans 7:18)

^"4though I myself have reasons for such confidence" - Paul was getting ready to make a comparison, but we'll save that one for tomorrow.