Winning Christ

Philippians 3:1-3 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. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Rejoicing In The Lord, Our Safe Place

Word Study: When Paul begins this section with the word “FINALLY” (Gk. Loipon), it makes us think that this will be the last chapter of this book. It’s not. The word loipon means “now, furthermore, or from this point onward”. Paul has spent the last two chapters telling us the glorious riches we who are Christians have received from Jesus Christ. What do we who are Christians have?

1. We are all “saints of God”, set apart in God the Father’s eyes because of our faith in Jesus (Philippians 1:1).

2. We did not earn this sainthood. We have “grace and peace with God” as a free gift from our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:2).

3. We are “filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:11).

4. Death nor our enemies have no hold on us. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

5. We have been given the “mind of Christ” (Philippians 2:3-8; 1 Corinthians 2:16).

6. We are the “sons of God in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation” (Philippians 2:12-16). We are to shine as His sons, not grumble nor complain.

Six major truths found in Jesus up to this point. The Bible says that God created earth and all that is in it over six days – “on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made”(Genesis 2:2). Up to this point, Paul has pointed out all that God did – at least six wonderful things – and now we are “brethren”, children of God together. The word Loipon means that – because of all that God has done for us in Christ – we now REST. What do believers do on the Sabbath, the Lord’s day? We REST, and REJOICE in the Lord Who saved us. From this point on, brothers and sisters,

REJOICE in the Lord

The phrase “REJOICE in the Lord” is found 232 times in the Bible. We “REJOICE in the Lord” because we know who we are are, and Who our God is. The Prophet said:

Isaiah 61:10 I will GREATLY REJOICE IN THE LORD, my SOUL SHALL BE JOYFUL IN MY GOD; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

Bad times may come our way, but one thing that cannot be taken away from us is this: because we love Jesus, the Father loves us. We are His prized possessions. The Bible says:

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NKJV) Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls– 18 YET I WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD, I will JOY IN THE GOD OF MY SALVATION. 19 The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s [feet], And He will make me walk on my high hills. To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.

Trials may come and go, and yet they will not defeat me. Why? Because …

Romans 8:28 (NKJV) we know that ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THOSE WHO LOVE GOD, to those who are the CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.

In chapter 3 the Apostle tells us who are saved by Grace to REST, to REJOICE in the Lord.

Philippians 3:1 … rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is SAFE {asphalēs}.

Word Study: Paul says “what I’m saying to you NOW is what I’ve said numerous other times. It does not grieve me to say this again. Why? Because for you it is SAFE (the Greek asphalēs, a certain or sure foundation on which to abide)”. The same word asphalēs is used for the promises of God in salvation in Hebrews 6:19. God cannot lie. God has promised to whosoever believes in Christ that they have eternal hope and everlasting life with God. God’s Word is SURE and STEADFAST.

The Apostle has used the word JOY or REJOICE a total of 16 times in this little book of Philippians. He commands us to REJOICE IN THE LORD.

That which is safest for the Christian is to REJOICE IN THE LORD. To focus on what you have in Christ, and the new identity He has given you. The safest place to be is in the Presence of Jesus, to read and hear the Word of God that He so loved. As we go through our daily trials, we are to fix our eyes on Jesus. As Jesus went through this life, bullied by the Pharisees and the religious leaders, did He lose heart? Was He defeated by the suffering He endured, the loneliness of Gethsemane, and the horrors of Golgotha? The Bible tells us:

Hebrews 12:1-3 (ESV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT and SIN which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 LOOKING TO JESUS, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him ENDURED THE CROSS, DESPISING THE SHAME, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 CONSIDER HIM who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

No matter what you are going through, look unto Jesus. REJOICE IN THE LORD. “My eyes are ever toward the LORD” (Psalm 25:15). Pray. Praise. Rejoice in the Lord! Keep looking upward, trusting in Him. The Scripture admonishes us:

Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV) If then you have been raised with Christ, SEEK THE THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE, WHERE CHRIST IS, seated at the right hand of God. 2 SET YOUR MINDS ON THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE, NOT ON THINGS THAT ARE ON THE EARTH. 3 For you have died, and YOUR LIFE IS HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

“REJOICE IN THE LORD” is not a request, but a command of Scripture. Happiness depends on our circumstances – but joy is based on knowing whose we are.

Beware Those Who Will Rob You Of Joy

Philippians 3:2Beware {blepō} of dogs, beware {blepō} of evil workers, beware {blepō} of the concision.

Word Study: Paul mentions three things that will rob us of joy. Three times he uses the word blepō, which means “look for with your physical eye, and then mark so as to avoid with your mental eye”. Several commentaries note that Paul is just talking of the Judaizers who are trying to tell Gentiles they must be circumcised. But Paul uses three “bewares” or “look out” here, so I think he is talking about three elements of people who can rob you of your joy in Christ.

“Beware {blepō} of dogs”. In early Judaism (of which Paul was well acquainted) “DOGS” are those who are pagan, who are unbelievers in God but believers in false gods. Dogs can be those who pretend to love God outwardly, but inwardly are spiritually dead and unclean. Solomon wrote:

Proverbs 26:11 (ESV) Like A DOG THAT RETURNS TO HIS VOMIT is a FOOL {an unbeliever, see Psalm 14:1} who repeats his folly.

The Apostle Peter used the term “dog” to describe the false believer:

2 Peter 2:17-22 (ESV) These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. 18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, but THEY THEMSELVES ARE SLAVES OF CORRUPTION. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are AGAIN ENTANGLED IN THEM AND OVERCOME, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”

The Church in America has many who profess that they are saved so that they can freely sin. We are not freed from sin so that we may more freely sin. The Bible says:

Romans 6:18 (ESV) having been SET FREE FROM SIN, you HAVE BECOME SLAVES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Those who are saved, but feel that they are saved so they can freely sin, are like the “dog who returns to its own vomit”. The Bible warns that such people shall not be in Heaven (Revelation 22:15).

Sin not only brings disease and death, it kills joy!

beware {blepō} of EVIL WORKERS {kakopoios}

“EVIL WORKERS” is the Greek kakopoios, which refers to those who are not just thinking evil thoughts, but they are seeking to actively corrupt others. Several years ago the LGBTQ+ “Community” rallied and fought that they could be “married” like the traditional one man one woman couple was married. They wanted the same legal and civil rights that the traditional couple had. They said over and over again, “It will have no effect on traditional values, no effect on Christians. Trust us.” But what happened once they were given the legal right to marry? They began to demand that Christian florists and bakers cater to their affairs. They began to push the local churches to participate in their sinful fantasies.

Beloved, we should love the sinner, and tell them the Gospel of Christ. But we need to keep a sharp eye out and not bind with them until they repent and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. Light and darkness cannot walk hand in hand.

beware {blepō} of the CONCISION {katatomē}

The word rendered “CONCISION” is the Greek katatomē, which means “those who cut or mutilate the skin”. This is indeed a reference to Judaizers, unconverted Jews who crept into the Church and say “Jesus is not enough”. Judaizers taught that you had to be circumcised to be saved. Many of these were Pharisees told Christians “you’re not fully saved until you satisfy the Law of Moses. You must be circumcised. You must keep the ceremonial laws of Judaism”.

This matter had been settled in the early Church among the Apostles. Once Paul began to reach the Gentiles with the Gospel of Christ, he went to Jerusalem to discuss the matter with the other Church leaders. The Apostle Peter along with James, the Overseer at Jerusalem, declared:

Acts 15:19-20 (NKJV) Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but that we write to them to ABSTAIN from things polluted by IDOLS, FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY, [from] things strangled, and [from] blood.

Circumcision was a command that God gave to Abraham and his descendants. But circumcision was never mandated for the Gentiles. God would promise the children of Abraham that one day there would be a New Covenant where the HEART would be circumcised. Paul talked about this in …

Romans 2:28-29 (ESV) For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But A JEW IS ONE INWARDLY, and CIRCUMCISION IS A MATTER OF THE HEART, BY THE SPIRIT, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

Under the Old Covenant the Jew was circumcised in the flesh. But circumcision today is not required, not in the flesh. Paul goes on to say…

The Saved Have A Circumcised Heart

Philippians 3:3 (KJV) For WE ARE THE CIRCUMCISION, which worship God in the Spirit, and REJOICE in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

There are three types that we should avoid: dogs, evil workers, and the cutters/ those who demand circumcision. They rob us of our joy. Those who are saved:

1. Worship God in the Spirit. We were not saved by our own power, we were saved by the power of God. Now as children of God, we worship God – not in our own strength – but through the Spirit of God Who indwells us. The lost person is bored by God – unless God is doing something for them. The saved person loves God, loves learning of God, and loves the Word of God.

2. REJOICE in Christ Jesus. We are not ashamed of Jesus, but love Him, and want to know more of Him. And,

3. Have no confidence in the flesh. We who are saved give all glory to God. We do not believe that we are, within ourselves, “good enough” for Heaven. Paul wanted to be a good steward of the Grace that God had given him. He wrote:

1 Corinthians 4:2-4 (KJV) Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I KNOW NOTHING BY MYSELF; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

Some people love to stand around judging others, thinking they are better than those around them. The Christian should do the best he knows how – as UNTO THE LORD. Whatever we do, we do it not to be saved, but out of love for Him Who saved us. We are always mindful that we are all broken, even though now we are saved.

I wish some of you understood that.

The genuine Christian has NO CONFIDENCE in the flesh, NO self righteousness. Paul says:

Philippians 3:4-6 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 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.

Before Paul was saved on the Damascus Road, he pointed to six things he thought proved he was right with God. None of these things had anything to do with Jesus.

1. RITUAL. Paul was “Circumcised the eighth day”, just as the Law declared.

2. RELATIONSHIP. Paul was “of the stock of Israel”, of the chosen nation, God’s Old Covenant people.

3. RESPECTABLE. Paul was “of the tribe of Benjamin”. That was like saying, “My family came to this country on the Mayflower!”

4. RACE. Paul was “an Hebrew of the Hebrews”. There was not a drop of Gentile blood in his veins! He and his family stayed blood-pure!

5. RELIGIOUS CONSERVATIVE. Paul said, “as touching the law, a Pharisee”. The Pharisees were the most strict, the most Bible based, the most intensely orthodox of the religious denominations. Pharisees were religious, but heartless and mean. Paul said, “concerning zeal, persecuting the Church”. I heard a story of a little boy who brought a dead mouse in the house, holding its tattered body by its tail. He said, “Mama, look! I beat him with a broom. I ran over him with my tricycle. I hit him with big rocks, and then stomped on him!” His mother said, “Wasn’t that cruel, son? That’s horrible!” The little boy thought, then said “When I was done, the Lord called him home!” Pharisees were religious, but MEAN!

6. REPUTATION. “touching the righteousness which is in the law, BLAMELESS”. Paul was a whitewashed tomb! Then he met Jesus.

Once the Lord saved him, Paul’s attitude changed. He said:

Philippians 3:7-8 But what things WERE GAIN to me, those I COUNTED LOSS for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but DUNG, that I MAY WIN CHRIST,

Winning Christ Is The Goal Of The Believer

Word Study: In the phrase “WIN CHRIST”, the word for “WIN” is the Greek kerdainō which means “to gain, to win over, to gain Christ’s favor and fellowship”. Paul counted all the benefits that he used to have as “DUNG” {skubalon, animal manure}, as something well worth losing, in order to gain a closer, more intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

There was a group of people called gnostics who twisted the Gospel of Christ, and made it into fire insurance. They made statements like “Why should I continue to strive and to work for Jesus, after we have been saved? If I am assured that the Blood of Christ cleanses me from all sin (1 John 1:7) then why not, after I have professed Christ, just relax. Why not just do what I want, even if it is sin? Why gather with the Church? Why give? My ticket is paid! I’ll see Jesus in Heaven”. This is the attitude of many in America today, the gnostic way. They know about Jesus, but do not have a personal relationship with Him.

This is not what the Bible teaches!

When I was a young man going through the Air Force Academy I thought that the greatest thing I could ever have was to be the best in that school. So I worked hard and poured every ounce of my strength into excelling in my studies, in my drills, in all that I did. I won top in class, and had my picture taken with the Commander. Twice! Oh, how I struggled to get here. Oh, how sweet to get to the top of the class. Do you know where those awards are today? I have no idea. The newspaper clippings of my “great victory” are gone, lost in time. That thing that I struggled to get is today dung, manure, of no lasting value. It was a waste of my time! The Bible says “You do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while – then vanishes away.” (James 4:14, AP). The things of this world are fleeting.

The most important thing you have is your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

People today are chasing after everything – and finding nothing. The child sees a parent love a dog or a cat, while ignoring the child. The child seeks to be a “furry”. A man, weak and discontented as a man, seeks to be a woman. A woman wants to have “equal rights” with all men – then pines for the children she wish she could have had. Everyone is chasing nothing, and finding nothing.

God designed us to walk with Him – not just in Heaven – but NOW! Our father Abraham understood this principle, that the greater thing we should be seeking – friendship with God. We should be striving, driven to win Jesus’ as our Friend. I’m not talking about salvation, Beloved. You cannot earn nor deserve your salvation – salvation comes by faith alone in Christ alone (Titus 3:5-6). Abraham understood this.

We must set our life’s compass by Someone greater than ourselves if we want our life to have meaning. Beauty passes, money is spent, fame is fleeting, but friendship with Christ … this is a blessing that continues into eternity.

Do Not Trust In The Flesh, But In Jesus

Philippians 3:9-11 And BE FOUND IN HIM, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I MAY KNOW HIM, and the POWER of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Paul said, “If you’re looking for me, I’ll always be “FOUND IN HIM”. Paul wasn’t staying close to Jesus because he was afraid of going to hell. Salvation is a free gift from God. “By the deeds of the Law no flesh will be justified in God’s sight. The Law gives us knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:19-20, AP). If you are saved, Jesus is your Friend. You cannot go to Jesus as His Friend and say, “I cannot trust what you said about salvation”. Friends trust one another. Jesus paid the penalty for my sin on the Old Rugged Cross. I have accepted Him as my Savior so now I am free to pursue a deeper relationship in Him. Friends trust one another. Friends rely on one another. Listen to what Jesus our Friend did for us:

2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV) For {The Father} hath made {Jesus} to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

Your Friend Jesus gave so much for you on the Cross. He did not call us to salvation so that we could walk through this life by ourselves. He called us to salvation so that we can live VICTORIOUSLY, right now. And once this life is over we have a much greater life beyond this one with our Friend Jesus Christ. Jesus said:

John 15:14 Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I COMMAND YOU.

Jesus is a Friend Who will never let you down. Beloved, life is hard, we are fragile, and time ends unexpectedly. A quiet walk in the beautiful woods of Tennessee can quickly turn into pain and death if you step on a copperhead. We live our lives day in and day out expecting things to be easy, then tragedy strikes without warning. The wise man sets aside a few savings for a rainy day – because the rainy days will come. The wise man buys fire insurance for his house, and medical insurance for his family. You stay prepared for whatever comes, and life is much sweeter. Be prepared.

But better than savings, insurance, whatever, it is good to have Christ as your Friend. The Apostle knew this. Those who seek friendship with Christ Jesus find real power for living. There is no value in pursuing Christianity as a religion, but as a relationship with Christ – Beloved, there’s great value in that! There’s a song I love to sing – perhaps you’ve heard it? No one knows who wrote it – but I know. It was a broken creature like me!

I am weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long,
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Thro’ this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.