A Deeper Look: Studying the Book of Philippians (Part 3 of 4)
This week, we continue our study in the book of Philippians in chapter 3. Dive into important biblical principles about faith in Christ.
FAITH
Dani Fielder
6/2/20264 min read
This week we are reading Philippians 3, and we are diving into some deep, biblical principles. Paul discusses the importance of having faith in Christ and not in what we do or the things we achieve.
Philippians 3 (with notes)
No Confidence in the Flesh
1 Further, my brothers and sisters, 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. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh.
Paul is referring to false teachers who insisted that salvation required trusting Jesus AND sticking to Jewish customs instead of faith in Christ alone being enough. He is referring to the Jews who insisted that the Gentiles, or non-jews, who receive salvation must be circumcised as "mutilators of the flesh."
3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
Paul makes the point that if anyone truly has a reason to boast, and be prideful based the things they have done, then he does because he is circumcised, a descendant from the tribe of Israel, zealous, knowledgeable on the Laws, and a steadfast follower of the Law.
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Paul has come to see that although he has many things he could boast about, he cannot achieve righteousness on his own through these things.
Paul considers all his accomplishments nothing compared to being in relationship with Christ. He wants to know him and continue to become more and more like him.
Paul's message is that, while the law intended to get us into right standing with God, it only emphasized our sin and our need for God even more. Now we are able to have a relationship with God through Christ. We cannot do it in and of ourselves or by our own actions. It is Christ alone who saves us, and this is also reiterated throughout scripture.
Romans 2:24-29 (Circumcision for Gentiles)
Romans 7:4-12 (Bound to Christ)
Romans 13:8-10 (Love fulfills the Law)
Acts 10:9-16 (Peter's Dream)
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Righteousness and salvation are all about your faith in Christ.
Two equal but contrasting truths:
We receive acceptance from God and salvation through faith in Christ
We are not perfect, and we must work to truly know and imitate Christ.
Following Paul’s Example
15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Paul urges the Philippians to follow his example as he follows Christ. He explains how there are many people who are destined to fall because they only feed their worldly desires and hunger. Believers, however, have their minds on Christ because they understand that their true home is heaven, not this earth.
Philippians 3: NIV bible: Youversion. YouVersion | The Bible App | Bible.com. (n.d.). https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PHP.1.NIV