Another look at Philippians 3

Isn't it interesting how life is just not as "easy" as you think it should be. Isn't it interesting how one moment everything can be going great and the next it seems like everything is falling apart around you. Why is that?

For me, the pieces are finally getting put back together after being in the valley for almost 5 months. What caused it? Well you could say it was a girl, but in the end that is not the real reason. The root cause was my pride and not trusting God completely. And the past 5 months were awful because of it. Then I read Philippians 3 about two months ago. Why that passage? I have no clue. I had gone from being on top of the hill and learning so much to reading my Bible sparingly so this wasn't exactly something I planned on doing. So here is another look at Philippians 3 and my insights into it.

Before I start here is a note. Regardless of if you are a Christian or not, I encourage you to read this passage and my insights. But if you are a Christian I especially want you to read it for reasons that will follow.

Philippians 3
1.Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.
2.Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!
3.For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,
4.though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:
5.circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
6.concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.
8. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for who I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
9. and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Jesus Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
10. that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
11. if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
12. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
13. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
14. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.
16. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.
17. Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
18. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19. whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame -- who set their mind on earthly things.
20. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
21. who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.


Ok. So you have probably read or heard people talk about that passage a bazillion times. So now go back and read it again paying more attention. It is very easy to speed through familiar passages of Scripture as I am very guilty of doing at times.

So there are a lot of different things I could talk about with this passage, but I have five things that have really stood out for me.


Insight #1: Our natural tendency is to think we can make it on our own.

I am sure I did not even have to say that. Most people should easily recognize that fact. Why else would Paul say "have no confidence in the flesh" in verse 3? We all have had the feeling at some point that we could be good enough to earn God's favor. As Christians, how many times have we thought, "I need to get my life together," when in reality we cannot even begin to get our lives together. The Scriptures are replete with verses and examples of this fact. And if you have said that and done it before, what happens. You start doing stuff and getting back on the right track, and eventually you topple over again. Then repeat. And repeat. And repeat.


Insight #2: My life <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Paul's life

And just when you thought, I can do it on my own even despite your previous failures. How does your life contextually compare with Paul's? Quite simply. Paul was a man-beast. Chuck Norris himself could not stand up to Paul. It's a fact. Sorry Chuck Norris fans. Knowing all that is known about Paul's life, would you dare to say that you would be "on par" with Paul? My guess is most people, including myself, would say the opposite. Now is Paul some sort of super human? No. But you have to admit, when you look at this guy's "qualifications," it has to get you thinking.


Insight #3: How in the world could Paul say what he did after vs.4-6?

He said what?! Read verses 7-14 again. Think about this with me as you reflect on your life. If you were in the same "shape" Paul was as he described in vs. 4-6, would you even think like this? If everything seemed to be going your way and life could not get any better, would you still approach God with the humility of Paul or with your own pride? Paul had no reason to say what he did here if he could "work" his way to salvation. He clearly was there. Yet he considered all things "rubbish" and strove forward.

Insight #4: No 5-step plan or miracle cure for life

Who woulda thunk it? Life is not easy. And guess what? There is no easy way to make your life great. If you could choose between losing weight by sitting around and hanging out with your friends or going to the gym multiple hours a week, which would you choose? Most people, unless you are one of "them," would choose the first option. Life is the same way. It is not easy. Good things happen. Bad things happen. Confusing things happen. That is why I believe Paul said what he did in vs. 12-14. He did not say press forward and stop. Paul understood that you have to continually be moving forward.


Insight #5: So what is the goal?

So human nature shows us that we strive to earn salvation. Paul led a beastly life but felt he could not earn salvation. The Scriptures say there is no way we can earn salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). And life is not easy and there is no way to make it easy. Bad and confusing things happen. So what now? This is the meat of what I have learned recently. How do you go from day to day knowing all this stuff? It is actually quite simple (not always easy, but simple nonetheless). You keep in mind what Paul said in vs. 20-21. You go from day to day knowing that there are greater things to come. What does that translate into practically? Your career, plans, and dreams are not the most important thing in life. When you understand this fact, you will begin to see that life is not about you, but about Him and you will be amazed at how the worries of this world just seem to fade away.

So now you have heard the rest of the story. Stay tuned for my next post on my latest musings through the minor prophets.