Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Ah Friends, more of Bruh Paul. Seems like I just can’t get enough of him these days. (smile) But I don’t mind, hope you don’t either, for he was the most zealous and colourful apostle; traits that we might do well to follow. Today, he’s writing to the church at Philippi, which had always treated him well, and whom he seems to have greatly appreciated. He’s warning them to beware of pseudo Christians filling them with false doctrine, like they must be circumcised to be a true Christian or receive salvation. (Vs.2) But Paul’s telling them, and us, to reject matters of the flesh, which circumcision is, because God is now worshipped in the spirit through Jesus. (Vs.3) Then in Vs.4 he proclaims that if the worldly things were important, nobody would have occasion to boast more than him, referring to his earlier life, and he goes on to list seven religious credentials, which although the world valued them highly, he could not rely on them for salvation. ‘Circumcised the eight day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.’ (Vs.6-7) In worldly terms, he was perfect. Born to true, blue blooded, orthodox Jews of the prestigious tribe of Benjamin, a member of the well educated Pharisee sect. So zealous for the Jewish religion, as we all know, that he persecuted believers, trying to stamp out Christianity. And he kept the ancient Judaic laws perfectly. But he had reckoned without the power of the Most High, who struck him blind on the road to Damascus, converting him and rearranging his whole life, leading him to say, ‘But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.’ He finally realized that all the things, the religious credentials and human accomplishments that made him important in the ancient Jewish culture, did not bring him closer to God. In fact they were a detriment, moving him further away from the one, true God. The Old Testament ritual, tradition and fleshly works had been replaced by a new covenant with Jesus, which concentrated on spirituality. And salvation could not be acquired by deeds of the flesh, but only through faith and spiritual belief in Jesus Christ. What a transformation Friends! Just goes to show what God can do with the Holy Spirit working in us, and it took some time for the brethren to really trust and accept him. But how could they not, when he showed the same zeal and spoke these moving words. ‘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.’ Ah Friends, may we be so brave, bold and committed, to echo those sentiments with Bruh Paul. Much LOVE!…nothing at all compares to winning Christ…
Ah Friends, more of Bruh Paul. Seems like I just can’t get enough of him these days. (smile) But I don’t mind, hope you don’t either, for he was the most zealous and colourful apostle; traits that we might do well to follow. Today, he’s writing to the church at Philippi, which had always treated him well, and whom he seems to have greatly appreciated. He’s warning them to beware of pseudo Christians filling them with false doctrine, like they must be circumcised to be a true Christian or receive salvation. (Vs.2) But Paul’s telling them, and us, to reject matters of the flesh, which circumcision is, because God is now worshipped in the spirit through Jesus. (Vs.3) Then in Vs.4 he proclaims that if the worldly things were important, nobody would have occasion to boast more than him, referring to his earlier life, and he goes on to list seven religious credentials, which although the world valued them highly, he could not rely on them for salvation. ‘Circumcised the eight day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.’ (Vs.6-7) In worldly terms, he was perfect. Born to true, blue blooded, orthodox Jews of the prestigious tribe of Benjamin, a member of the well educated Pharisee sect. So zealous for the Jewish religion, as we all know, that he persecuted believers, trying to stamp out Christianity. And he kept the ancient Judaic laws perfectly. But he had reckoned without the power of the Most High, who struck him blind on the road to Damascus, converting him and rearranging his whole life, leading him to say, ‘But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.’ He finally realized that all the things, the religious credentials and human accomplishments that made him important in the ancient Jewish culture, did not bring him closer to God. In fact they were a detriment, moving him further away from the one, true God. The Old Testament ritual, tradition and fleshly works had been replaced by a new covenant with Jesus, which concentrated on spirituality. And salvation could not be acquired by deeds of the flesh, but only through faith and spiritual belief in Jesus Christ. What a transformation Friends! Just goes to show what God can do with the Holy Spirit working in us, and it took some time for the brethren to really trust and accept him. But how could they not, when he showed the same zeal and spoke these moving words. ‘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.’ Ah Friends, may we be so brave, bold and committed, to echo those sentiments with Bruh Paul. Much LOVE!…nothing at all compares to winning Christ…
SCRIP-BITS 