What Counts
Paul had once been the “star” of the Pharisees. He was smart, had lots of energy, and did all of the things that a Pharisees ought to do. But Paul’s old idea of what was right and wrong became meaningless to him once he learned the crucial thing—knowing and serving Jesus.
Paul realised that his old way of living often went against how God wants us to serve him. How about you? Are there areas in your life that need to be cleaned out?
Righteousness Through Faith in Christ
Philippians 3: 1-11
Finally, my dear friends, be glad that you belong to the Lord. It does not bother me to write the same things to you that I have written before. It is for your good.
Watch out for those people who behave like dogs! They are evil and want to do more than circumcise you. However, we are the ones who are genuinely circumcised because we worship by the power of God’s Spirit and take pride in Christ Jesus. We do not brag about what we have done, although I could. Others may brag about themselves, but I have more reason to boast than anyone else. I was circumcised when I was eight days old, and I am from the nation of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. I am a true Hebrew. As a Pharisee, I strictly obeyed the Law of Moses. Moreover, I was so eager that I even made trouble for the church. I did everything the Law demands to please God.
However, Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and counted it all as garbage. All I want is Christ and to know that I belong to him. I could not make myself acceptable to God by obeying the Law of Moses. God accepted me simply because of my faith in Christ. All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him to life. I want to suffer and die as he did, so that somehow I also may be raised to life.
