6. LOVING CHRIST AS ALL, AND GIVING HIM ALL (Philippians 3:1-9)

Philippians 3:1 "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."

This is not a false close to the Epistle. In the Authorised Version the word "finally" is translated "henceforth" in 2 Timothy 4:8, Galatians 6:17 and Hebrews 10:13. In the New King James Version the word is translated "From now on..." in Hebrews 10:13.

In centering their joy and love in the Lord, Paul regarded as so important, that he repeats his teaching in writing to them. This is not being tedious, but the action of care for their safety. There remains nothing but to emphasise full trust in the Lord and he proceeds to show that the soul's reliance on Jesus Christ, and rejoicing in Him, is true Christianity.

6.1. A THREEFOLD WARNING AND EXPOSURE (Philippians 3:2)

Philippians 3:2 "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! (of the flesh)."

Paul jealously guards the saints from the emissaries of error. None would be led astray if he could avoid it. He repeats the warning to ensure their safety. There are three "bewares" which decisively denounce Judaistic false teachers:

	"BEWARE OF DOGS" Reveals the character of their troublers. "Dogs" spoke of all that was foul or filthy. Indicates the depraved nature of these religionists. They disturb - divide - and destroy the flock of God.
	"BEWARE OF EVIL WORKERS" Reveals their conduct. The deeds of depraved nature are manifest in them.
	"BEWARE OF THE MUTILATION" Reveals the creed. That is, "a cutting off". Used to disparage the lust for form, or the almost fiendish delight that these Judaists take in the rites of circumcision, ceremonialism instead of Christ.

6.2. A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE (Philippians 3:3)

Philippians 3:3 "For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh."

The flesh has stirred the whole kingdom of the soul to anarchy against the rightful King. This government must be voted out.

Romans 7:18 "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not."

Romans 3:20 "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."

The flesh has no part in our election to the heavenly assembly. Only by grace, through the sacrificial work of Christ we take our seats in the eternal realm. Neither should the flesh have any part in the administration of our lives. The cross is the only place our Sovereign has for it.

Galatians 5:24 "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. "

Only the born again are the true circumcision. Only the hearts that have been deeply cut by the Holy Spirit to find their all in Christ, can offer acceptable worship to God. Acceptable worship has God as its supreme joy. No form - no flesh enters in. True circumcision is not the cutting off of the flesh - it is the grafting into Christ - not concision, but contrition. Not humiliation, but jubilation.

6.3. THE PEDIGREE OF A PHARISEE (Philippians 3:4-6)

In this ringing challenge to these legalists, Paul insists that if any are seeking justification through Judaism, they are ignorant of themselves and their system. He knows the exact worth of that religion - he had exceeded any conformity to it. If any confidence or acceptance came from it, he would have obtained it. Paul's seven steps in his climb to the heights of Judaism.

Philippians 3:5,6 "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."

He was an excelled example of Phariseeism, and all this without Christ. Surely nothing more is needed to convince men that all the religion in the world cannot save. Christ is the only answer. No righteousness apart from Christ.

6.4. A PAST, PRESENT PROGRESSIVE SURRENDER (Philippians 3:7-9)

Christ is everything, then everything for Christ. Nothing else is reasonable. To Paul, the only consistent course. His passionate pursuit is to 'know Him' - to 'win Him' - to be 'found in Him'. For which he readily surrenders everything. The extent of his participation of Christ depends on the measure of his consecration to Christ. His surrender is a pattern to follow.

Philippians 3:7 "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ."

There had been a time of calculated choice, finding no assets in self, he yielded himself to the Lord. A spiritual crisis has come into the life of all those who have done anything for God.

Hebrews 11:24,25 "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;"

Moses had an awareness of surrender. Those things that were gain to him, he counted loss. All must be yielded.

He does not rely on a past experience. The definite past surrender is lived out in a present daily experience of yieldedness. We must make good the vow we made, by daily living for Christ. Any new asserting claims and temptations must be surrendered at their appearance. The springs of Paul's surrender are found in his personal admission of, and submission to the Lordship of Christ (Philippians 3:8 ). His Lord has captivated him.

No wishful thinking of what might have been, had he held to the things highly esteemed by men. which are really 'rubbish'. "I have suffered the loss of all things." (Philippians 3:8 KJV). God has taken him at his word. The fire has consumed them. He renounces his 'gain' to 'win', that is, 'gain' Christ. To be clothed in the righteousness which is of God by faith (Philippians 3:9 ), which is great gain. Gain or loss. Whatever is spent on self is loss - whatever we lose for Christ brings highest dividends. Complete surrender makes Christ our ever blessed reality and eternal reward.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Would Paul's warning against, and exposure of, false teachers, be regarded today as politically incorrect? (Philippians 3:1-2 ).

2. Can you explain what it means to worship God in the Holy Spirit? (Philippians 3:3 )

3. What is the logical conclusion to be drawn from Paul's testimony? (Philippians 3:5-7 ).

4. Is there something you are holding on to that is rubbish? What did you gain by making Christ all? (Philippians 3:7-9 ).