WEEK 5 ● Day 2
READ PHILIPPIANS 3:4-8
What makes a good Christian? If you were to list the markers of someone who’s doing this following-Jesus thing right, what would you say?
Paul shares his “pedigree” with us in today’s passage, and it’s pretty impressive, right? Each of us, no matter if we started following Jesus when we were a child or last week, can be tempted to build up a list like this as the “proof” of our dedication to Him. Here’s my list of credentials—let’s see if you think it shows I love Jesus and am living for Him:
- I’m from a Christian family. My mom was a leader in Bible Study Fellowship, my dad led men’s groups and mentored many young professionals, and together they led the “young marrieds” Sunday school class at our church for over a decade.
- I “asked Jesus into my heart” at age five.
- I went to Christian elementary, middle, and high schools.
- My family lived in Guatemala for a few years—partly for business and partly for ministry.
- The first concert I went to featured Michael W. Smith.
- I played the handbells in church.
- I purchased numerous copies of Wild at Heart and Captivating when they came out, so I could give them to all my friends.
- I went to a Christian university.
- I wore a purity ring throughout high school and college.
- I went to Bible school in England and studied ancient Greek.
Because of all this, I must be super close in my walk with God, right? I mean, isn’t this list what it’s all about?
Well . . . no.
God doesn’t look at our pedigree or the list of things we’ve done “right”—He looks at our hearts and how we live. The list doesn’t matter much. My husband’s list is pretty much the opposite of my shiny, happy, Jesus-y one: Abuse. Homelessness. Pain. But he loves Jesus and is deeply committed to following Him, and that’s the only thing that matters to God.
Why does Paul list his credentials here? All things considered, they were impeccable.
1. What does Paul say in verse 4?
What Paul is saying here is, “If there were a competition on being the Most Awesome Jew, I’d win first prize.” But let’s dig into the details of what he’s saying, using the following passage. (Keep your study Bible handy—referencing multiple translations can enhance our understanding of a passage!)
2. In the text below, please number all seven aspects Paul includes as his “pedigree.”
3 We are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for 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; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order 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 comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.
History Lesson
Paul’s credentials were hugely important in the Jewish culture he grew up in. Here’s what each piece would have meant:
- circumcised on the eighth day—as every good Jewish boy was, according to Old Testament law (Leviticus 12:3)
- of the people of Israel—part of God’s elect and chosen people
- of the tribe of Benjamin—the smallest of all twelve tribes held a special place in the hearts of many because Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob; King Saul (the first king of Israel) was also a Benjaminite (1 Samuel 9:21)
- a Hebrew of Hebrews—Paul descended from a long line of Jewish ancestors. Some believe he calls himself this because he likely spoke Aramaic, the national language of Jews in the day.
- a Pharisee—the strictest religious sect
- zealous—he was a bit of a fanatic: earnest, dedicated, and passionate about the law
- a persecutor of the church—when Paul persecuted the Christians, he likely thought of himself as protecting his religion, following in the footsteps of Phinehas (Numbers 25:11) and Elijah (1 Kings 19:10, 14).
- blameless—Paul was a major rule follower . . . or, in this case, law follower; over time, the Pharisees added many extra laws to God’s original commandments.[1]
The Jews would have seen everything Paul listed as important and prestigious. But Paul isn’t listing his credentials to show off. No—he has a different purpose.
3. What does Paul say he’s doing to his pedigree or credentials? Why?
4. If being a Christian isn’t about our pedigree or what we’ve done, what is the mark of a true believer in Jesus?
The real believers are the ones the Spirit of God leads to work away at this ministry, filling the air with Christ’s praise as we do it.
My ESV translates this verse as “For we are the circumcision.” But if Paul is saying we don’t need to be circumcised, why is he calling us the circumcision?
5. Why do you think Paul is using this term?
Circumcision was a physical sign that set the Israelites apart from the world around them, identifying them as God’s chosen people. But under the new covenant, anyone who believes Jesus is the Messiah becomes God’s chosen people. Because we are the men and women of God, Paul is saying we are the circumcision. Our very lives identify us as chosen by God. Because of Jesus, this term has a new meaning (see Romans 2:28-29). Circumcision is no longer physical but is now spiritual.
In Philippians 3:5-6, Paul tells the Philippian church (and us) about who he used to be. He was the young, rising star in the Pharisaic community—in part because of his dedication and wisdom, but also because of how intensely he persecuted the followers of Jesus. But when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), everything changed. He realized that all he once held dear and all that he once thought important was rubbish—because nothing compared to knowing Jesus.
Once we start following Jesus, once we really understand what it means to love and be loved by Him, the things we once thought were important or fun can suddenly seem uninteresting. Or perhaps setting those things aside is still a struggle, but we begin to comprehend their negative impact.
6. What things have you set aside or felt prompted to change in the course of your walk with Jesus?
7. What have you gained as you’ve followed Jesus?
You, my sweet sister, are a world changer because you have chosen to follow Jesus. Those losses? They’re not actually losses. A loss is a deficit, and the One who loves you has given you only abundance and sufficiency. In Jesus, you’ve gained more than you can ever imagine.
Talk to the Lord about how you might be tempted to step into checklist-Christianity mode. Ask Him to remind you that God doesn’t love us because of all the things we do for Him—He loves us because He is love and He has saved us.
Amen.