Philippians 3: 2-7
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows. 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.
If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised 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; 6as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.
Today's post deals with something that we don't talk about anymore, and yet it was massively important not only to them, but to us as well. The issue of circumcision was important to them because it was a sign of God's covenant with Abraham. Circumcision was the sign for them of being "saved". If you were circumcised, you were in, if not, you couldn't be right with God.
In this passage Paul lists all of the great things he's done. He talks about his studies, how strict he was in following the law, and how he even went as far as to persecute Christians. Among Jews of his day, Paul was a rock star.
But listen to the next verse: But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. In other words, not only didn't he gain anything from all that stuff, but he said it was a loss to him. I think Paul thought about all of the stuff as a waste of time, and I think he was sad that he had thought it was so important before.
So what do you care about? Athletics? Grades? Popularity? Take some time today to think about things that are eternal, and place your focus on them.
-Jeff-
