stephen R Harrison

(Read Philippians 3:2-3)

In the last two chapters of Philippians, especially 3:1-4:9, Paul transitioned from encouragement and instruction to mostly commands.  He steps up his warnings about false teachers and directives on how the church should live in Christ.  Philippians 3 is all about avoiding false teachers.  The attackers were the Judaizers, pushing a false gospel that demanded circumcision be added to salvation.  Jesus plus anything equals works-based attempts for salvation.  Adding anything to the gospel makes it a false gospel.  

Paul didn’t waste any time but hit the problem of circumcision head-on by saying, “Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh.”  To be called a dog was an insult. The Jews described Gentiles this way, and now Paul used their words to describe those who distort the gospel.  They were not sweet puppies but rabid dog packs bent on ripping apart (mutilating) the church.  

Their works were more than just misguided. They were “evil.”  Paul warned the Philippians to stay away from such false teachers. Their “good works” were actual “works of evil.”  They hindered the spread of a pure gospel.  Those who did not add circumcision, in their false opinion, were not of Christ or holy.  Replace circumcision with any other “good work” such as baptism, giving to the poor, and serving widows, and they distort the gospel if required for salvation. It is evil to suggest that these good things done because of salvation are necessary for salvation.

To combat this, Paul warned about the false teachers but also taught about true believers.  True believers are those “who are the circumcision.”  This was a circumcision of the heart (Colossians 2:11).  God, through Jesus, has cut away sin from our lives and given us brand new hearts.  They do three things: “who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh.”  The Spirit marks them, Jesus saves them, and their efforts to save themselves are hopeless.  Jesus alone saves! Our confidence is not in what we have achieved, how good we are, or how we look to others on the outside.  The miracle of salvation doesn’t come through the mutilation of the flesh or any other means! We must be justified alone through Christ and His atoning work on the cross.  This is an internal work of Christ where He makes us brand new – born again – by giving us a new spirit through His Spirit.  

Questions for the Head (Think)

• Have you ever tried to add good works to salvation?

Reflection for the Heart (Worship)

• Take time to thank God for the work of salvation.  Dwell on how futile our efforts are and how complete His are.

Action for the Hands (Do)

• Take time to think through your Christian disciplines (prayer, reading Scripture, church attendance, tithing, etc.) and ask the Lord if you require them for salvation in any way.  Are you adding anything else legalistic to salvation (dress, practices, etc.)?