October 20, 2015
Scripture Reading: Philippians 3:4b-9
If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
7But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
Questions for Reflection:
Paul addresses the false teachers by first addressing their claim and then showing how he completely rejects their assumption. What are the reasons that Paul claims that he could have confidence (verses 4b-6)? Some of Paul’s “achievements” are lost on us because we don’t understand the Jewish culture as well today as Paul’s first readers would have. He boasts of being of tribe of Benjamin for instance. The significance to the tribe of Benjamin was that it was the tribe of Israel’s first king. In what areas do individuals look toward for their own self-righteousness?
In response to the idea of earning our own righteousness, Paul says that it is all a loss. What does Paul say is worth pursuing (v. 8)? Where does Paul say that his righteousness comes from? For Paul, knowing Jesus was not just a relational position. For him, Jesus was not merely his savior. What terms did he use for Jesus throughout the passage? The words he chose show that Jesus was his “chosen one” or “master.” Does your relationship with Jesus reflect that? How can you turn more of your life over to him?