Philippians 3:4b-14 (NRSV)
Read Philippians 3:4b-14 on biblegateway.com
Verse 4even though I, too, have reason for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: Verse 5circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; Verse 6as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. Verse 7Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. Verse 8More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
Verse 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. Verse 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, Verse 11if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Verse 12Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Verse 13Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, Verse 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.
Devotion
Paul tells us that he once, by society’s measures, had it all. He had a good family name along with all the benefits and duties that came with it. He lived his life in accordance with the letter of the law. And yet all of this paled in comparison to the promise of a new life found in Christ, where possessions, positions, and old allegiances are unnecessary and burdensome. Paul urges us to press on in our faith, trusting and accepting God's unique call through Christ Jesus, who freely offers us life through death.
Prayer
Thanks to Christ whose passion offers in mercy healing, strength, and pardon. Peoples and nations, take it, take it freely! Amen! (With One Voice 668).