Philippians 3:7

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But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
How many times have I read over chapter 3 and failed to see the beauty in it, failed to understand? Paul has just laid out -- again -- one of the most important doctrines of Christianity: It is by grace you have been saved, and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift from God (Eph 2:8). Why do we fail to see the gift?

Paul, like all Jews, like all those who think they can find favor with God; who think they are living a righteous life; who think their virtue is important; who think that God will use human scales to weigh their rights and wrongs and declare them better than "murderers," and "thieves," and "child molesters," and the other "dregs of society;" who think they can free themselves from hatred; who think they can meditate their way to heaven, has just personally illustrated that you are doomed unless you believe the real truth.
If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:  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;  as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. (Phil 3:4b-6)
In other words, Paul followed the law; Paul "showed" he was "righteous;" Paul was one of the "chosen people;" Paul followed the "rules."

But the truth is, Paul's previous "righteousness" was worthless. It was all "dung." God is the one who justifies us. We didn't do anything to earn his favor. God is the one who sanctifies us, that is who makes us clean; we didn't do anything to earn that. God is the one who helps us believe this truth, through his word; for God's glory.

Flee from those who tell you that you too will find favor with God by obeying the rules more often than you fail. Flee from those who proclaim their circumcision sets them apart.





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