Philippians 3:1–11
Before his conversion, Paul was a fierce opponent of the Christian faith. He saw Christians as enemies of the Jewish religion and as blasphemers. The first mention of Paul in history comes at the stoning of Stephen, the first martyr, where he guarded the clothes of those who were killing him and so gave his full approval to the act (Acts 7:58). His zeal was so great that he wanted to uproot the church completely. He was on his way to Damascus with letters of authority to arrest Christians and bring them to Jerusalem when a meeting with Christ changed his life (Acts 9). According to Jewish custom, every rabbi or student had to learn a trade. Paul had learned tent-making. This skill later helped him to support himself on his missionary journeys. He was a highly disciplined, intelligent and religiously zealous man. He also knew Greek philosophy, which later made him able to preach the gospel among the Gentiles.
In today’s passage Paul speaks about his past. He was a religious, educated and respected Jew. He had left nothing undone in keeping the law. Paul’s background shows that God had been preparing him for the gospel from his early days. His Roman citizenship, his knowledge of the Jewish law and his familiarity with Greek culture later became the chief means of spreading the gospel throughout the Mediterranean world. As Richard Wurmbrand noted in Tortured for Christ, when fierce persecutors like Paul are converted, they can become the most powerful witnesses for Christ. After Paul met Christ, all his achievements seemed like “rubbish” to him. In Philippians 3:8 he says, “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ …” Paul wanted to depend not on his own righteousness, but on the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ.
We are always trying to please God by our own good works, our rituals or our charity. But the Bible says our good works are like a soiled garment or filthy rags. We need the garment of Christ’s perfect righteousness. Paul had one burning desire — “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death …” For this he was ready even to share in His sufferings.
Do you take pride in your own righteousness? Remember, salvation is received by grace alone. Lay down all your human pride today and come to Christ for refuge. To know Him is the greatest treasure in the world. It is wisdom to exchange your rags for the righteousness of Christ.
Prayer: Lord, my trust is not in my own works, but only in Your grace. Help me to know You more deeply. Amen.