Philippians 3:2-11

The next passage in the assigned readings is Philippians 3:2-11. This was actually part of the bible study this past Friday. What's interesting is how and why Paul lists these highly regarded credentials. It's not as if he wants to boast, but it seems as if he's forced to or does so only to the benefit of those who he's writing to. He's driving home his point that we put not confidence in the flesh. It is so easy and natural for us to put confidence in the flesh. Paul shows his credentials showing all that they can't even compete with him. No matter how hard you try and boast in your flesh, Paul has you beat. Why do people even boast in the first place? You probably are comparing yourself to others in hopes of showing yourself better than others. You may be seeking the approval and praise of men. However, if someone else is better than you, you get less praise from men.

I am reminded of one time in math class when I was in high school. This obnoxious kid was boasting about how he got 93% on the math test, for which the results we had just received. I think he was trying to impress this one girl, so we was asking what she got and boldly proclaiming the mark he had received. At the same time, one of my friends was asked what mark he got. He loudly responded (though not intending to boast, I don't think), "I got 98%. After that, I don't remember the obnoxious guy saying much because he was probably ashamed of declaring his mark in light of the fact that my friend had a higher mark than him. In the same way, are you really going to boast in your flesh when Paul has you beat? Perhaps you would if the person you are boasting to does not know about Paul's credentials. But at the same time, Paul shows us his character by humbly showing us how much he doesn't value the kinds of things we often try to pride ourselves in. These fleshly things Paul could very well pride himself in are counted as smelly and disgusting garbage compared to knowing Christ. This shows us what Paul values. If we want to imitate him as he encourages us to do and as he imitates Christ, we would be wise to value Christ in the same way.