Daily Devotion (September 13, 2024)
Philippians 3:1–7
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 the 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.
Paul is encouraging the believers to rejoice in the Lord and to be cautious of those who might lead them astray. He emphasizes that true believers worship God in the Spirit and place their confidence in Christ rather than in their own fleshly achievements.
It is easy to get caught up in the evil of this world. How do we keep from doing so? We continually rejoice in the Lord. We keep from false teaching. How do we know false teaching? We not only read the Bible we study the Bible. We become involved in church more than going to a worship service and yes, it is important to be in worship every week. We are to be involved in small group Bible study, we should also study the Bible on our own. How do we know what is truth? We compare what we read or hear to the Word of God!
We face temptations every day. We face trials and tribulations daily. How do we overcome them? We overcome by having a real relationship with God. We are in fellowship with true believers in Christ. Our confidence is in Jesus not in people. (Even the best of people will at times let us down. Jesus never will) Our confidence is not in people but in God. Know God’s Word!
In these verses Paul bragged about his accomplishment only to state one important point. No matter what he gained on his own he gave it all up to know Christ. Have you been willing to let go of the world and allow Christ to reign in your life?