Philippians 3:1-7 “1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.”
On Veterans Day, Bonita and I were privileged to go to a celebration honoring veterans. The keynote speaker, Eric Dudash, told of some of the missions and things he had done in his military career. What really struck me was the fact that after telling about all the things he did and endured, he made it very plain that he was “only doing his job”.
While pondering last week’s article and what to write this week, I recalled how veterans never speak of themselves to call attention to what they have done, but rather to bring attention to a cause that was greater than them, and to their comrades in arms. With all that in mind, I came across the verses above and thought this was a good comparison to spiritual veterans; people who are considered heroes.
In verse 2 above, Paul makes the brethren aware of whom the enemy is. No good soldier goes into battle without knowing who he is fighting against and what they are fighting for. The same is definitely true in the spiritual life. If we are to fight the good fight of faith, we must recognize who the enemy is, and we must fight the enemy with all that lies within us. However, we must always realize, as Paul said in verse 3, that we “have no confidence in the flesh”.
Paul went on to give his pedigree in verses 5 and 6. Paul indeed, was highly esteemed in the Jewish religion. He was of the strictest sect of the Jews, a Pharisee. He had a zeal for what he was doing and said he was “blameless” in his religion. Then, in verse 7, notice that Paul said, “what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.”
Remember, while on the road to Damascus, a great light shined around Paul. He was converted. He went from being an enemy of Christ to fighting the enemies of Christ with the same fervor and zeal he had when he fought against Christ.
Philippians 3:8 says, “8 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,”
Notice the sincerity and zeal that is felt in the apostle’s comments. He gave up all he had ever known or ever was, and counted it as dung for the cause of Christ. This should be the attitude of all Christians; that we count all things as dung that we might win others to Christ. Indeed, there is NOTHING in this life more important than knowing Christ, and nothing else will bring you eternal life in the world to come.
Ricky Wilborn
Fort Payne, AL
