Day 177 – Thursday, September 4, 2025

One Year Journey Through the New Testament

Philippians 3

Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!

All for Christ

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. ⁸ Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom 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 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. 

(Philippians 3:1–11, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul opened chapter four with an admonition to rejoice in the Lord. He seems to be moving into a section that gives instruction in a rapid-fire manner, but then waxes eloquent.
• In the middle, though, he spoke of the need to leave the old man and old ways behind to follow Christ.
• He warned against those who would circumcise (dogs), who do evil by trying to mutilate Gentiles to satisfy a symbolic requirement of Abraham.
• Paul then segued into a discussion of his pedigree, citing his circumcision on the eighth day of his life, and the accompanying qualifications he had leading up to him being a Pharisee, the cream of the crop among Israelites.
• After giving his resume, Paul starkly announced that he counts all these things as a loss in order to know Christ and follow Him, calling his righteousness in the law rubbish. His true righteousness came from faith in Jesus Christ.
• He then penned the beautiful words of verses 10 and 11 talking about the power of the resurrection and the fellowship of Christ’s suffering.

Pressing Toward the Goal

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 in 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. 

(Philippians 3:12–16, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul admitted that he was not perfect or fully matured, but that he was determined to move forward and grow in his walk with God. He called the church to press toward the mark, the prize of the high calling of God.
• He called the church to maturity and walk, live, and work in unity.

Our Citizenship in Heaven

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 the 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. 

(Philippians 3:17–21, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• The last section of this chapter contains a call from Paul to follow his example and that of others over them in the Lord.
• He warned against following those who are lustful and glory seekers.
• He reminded the Philippians that those who are Christ’s are citizens of heaven, and are waiting for the coming of the Lord.
• He will transform us into His image and will subdue all things under His feet.
• Trust in the Lord of the earth, not the prince of the air.

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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.