Day 7 - Philippians 3:1-11

1 Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.

2 Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. 3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, 4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!

5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.

7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!


Tori's Comments:

The fact that he constantly reiterates the need to rejoice (have you noticed that?) makes me think it's pretty important. So important that I think it should be a major factor in how we are perceived by the world. Even those who are against Christians should be able to shake their head and say "They sure can be happy, though. There's got to be something to it.". Sometimes I notice myself become apathetic to it as it is repeated so many times, to the point where I'll just skim it. But Paul never tires of telling it and says it to safeguard our faith, to protect it.  If it's such a necessary reminder, I feel I need to incorporate it into my life more. (Despite reading this several times before, I've only just noticed it's repetitive nature). I am thinking I will hang it up somewhere in my dorm room, preferably on my mirror.

What stuck out to y'all the most from this passage? I obviously got a little hung up on the first part (which isn't the first time it's happened).



Terrie's Comments:

I am not sure if y'all have noticed that I enjoy using images for my favorite parts of the daily passage of scripture :-)  Images are a great way to help remember scripture.  

Today is one of those passages that I feel like I would be taking away from by adding my own comments... It is one of those passages that I just want to add an AMEN to the end and call it a day... taking time to meditate on what it means to me on a deeper level.  Just letting the truths found in it sink into my heart, mind, soul and spirit!  













Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!