| Isaiah 66:1-24; Philippians 3:4-21; Psalm 74:1-23; Proverbs 24:15-16
“Watch out for ‘dogs,’ watch out for evil workers, watch out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, the ones who serve by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh – although I once had confidence in the flesh too. If anyone thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more:” (Philippians 3:2-4)
The Apostle Paul is still warning people about leaning on their flesh as a means of obtaining righteousness with God. “It is not by works of righteousness which we have done, but rather by His mercy that we are saved.” (Titus 3:5) Paul warns us to watch out for “dogs,” evil workers, those who mutilate the flesh. He’s not talking about precious people who are so oppressed they cut themselves. Those people need our love and help, they need Jesus. He is referring to religious people who behave like dogs.
Dogs run in packs, digging up and spreading trash, these “dogs” were trying to get people to substitute a true relationship with God by putting them under the law. Mutilation of the flesh is regarding circumcision as a means of covenant. It doesn’t work spiritually, it’s just medical procedure now, it has been replaced. The New Covenant cut in Christ’s body supersedes the Old Covenant. The apostle states that we are the circumcision, those whose hearts are circumcised by the Holy Spirit and who do not rely on their heritage, past performance and works to save them, but rather their acceptance and faith in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
In the following verses Paul goes on to share that if anyone could boast about how great and religious they were it would be him. He did everything right according to the law, he was a good Jewish boy. In modern day vernacular, it’s a good Catholic who is confirmed, a good Baptist who has been baptized and doesn’t do anything out of the way. A good Pentecostal who speaks in tongues and minds their dress code. All of these things are admirable but they can never save us.
Salvation is an internal work done by the mercy of God. I’ve asked many people through the years why they felt they were going to heaven and the saddest reply you get is when they say, “Because I’m a good (fill in the blank).” A good anything just doesn’t cut it. It’s all about Jesus. We are saved because He shed His blood on that cross and we receive and apply that sacrifice to ourselves.
Shoot, when I got saved I was so dog-gone lost you didn’t have to convince me that I needed Jesus. I already knew I was fixing to bust hell wide open. Some folks are raised up with a touch of religion and it’s like a vaccination, they are immune spiritually and don’t want to hear anything different. They are good where they are at and don’t want to mess that up. Man, I know this sounds funny, but you got to show them they’re lost before you can get them found. Help Lord! And some were raised in a religious atmosphere, but were turned off because they got rules without relationship and they found Christianity empty.
Paul said, “More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ – the righteousness from God based on faith…But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead… All who are mature should think this way…In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained. Join in imitating me, brothers, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.” (V. 8-9, 13,15a, 16-17)
According to this scripture everything should pale in comparison to knowing Christ. That is evidence of our salvation, our hunger for Him and love for people. We are to walk in the light that we have, but also continue to grow by watching the example of Godly people around us.
PRAYER:
Lord, forgive me if I have relied on anything besides the cross of Christ for my salvation. I ask You to continue to reveal truth to me so that I can walk worthy of You. Surround me with strong Godly people so that I can learn from them. I love You Lord and I hope You have a wonderful day. Thank You so much for all You do. I am blessed to know You. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen. |
