Mount Isa Baptist Church

Paul’s spiritual CV

Last year, we looked at Paul’s spiritual CV, and from next week I want to continue with the series through Philippians. So, to get us up to speed, I want to take this time to look back at Paul’s spiritual CV. In vs.4 - vs.6, Paul gives his Spiritual CV. Paul is adamant that if these Jews had reason to boast in their righteousness, he had more, and he goes on to outline seven reasons for that claim.

1st Reason: “circumcised on the eighth day.” Paul had pride of covenant status, for he was circumcised according to the Law. Many of these people were not born Jews and were circumcised as adults, but not Paul; he was circumcised on the eighth day. But that ritual did not save him.

2nd Reason: “He was born an Israelite.” They had to convert from another religion to become Jews, but not Paul; he was born a Jew. But this did not save him.

3rd Reason: “He belonged to the tribe of Benjamin.” Although there were those who were born Jews just like Paul, they have no clue as to which tribe they belonged to, but Paul knows. He belonged to the tribe of Benjamin. Paul says he knows his ancestry, unlike the rest of them. But this did not save Paul.

4th Reason: “a Hebrew of Hebrews.” Paul goes on to say some of you only speak Greek because of where you come from. BUT not me! I speak Greek, BUT I also speak Hebrew. I can read the Scripture in its original language. He was a true Jew who was born of Jewish parents, who spoke the Hebrew language, and who kept the Jewish customs. But this did not save him.

5th Reason: “a Pharisee.” Paul had pride of religion or orthodoxy. Paul reminds them here that he was born and raised as a Pharisee. Raised as a strike group in Judaism, not just one of the locals, especially when it comes to their spirituality. But religion and orthodoxy did not save Paul.

6th Reason: “as to zeal, a persecutor of the church,” Paul had pride of conviction. Paul practiced what he believed and preached. In fact, he believed so strongly that Christianity was a Jewish cult which was undermining true Judaism that he persecuted the church of Jesus Christ in the name of God. When it comes to zeal, Paul tells them that they cannot out zeal him. But conviction could not save Paul.

7th Reason: “as to righteousness under the law, blameless.” Paul had the pride of self-righteousness. Paul kept the legal, ceremonial and moral aspects of the Mosaic Law as well as any man.

But in verse 7, Paul makes a shocking declaration: “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.” What Paul is declaring here is that all the things he has accomplished, these seven attributes which we would POSSIBLY like on someone's CV, in fact, all add up to a big fat zero in God's sight. At the end of verse 8, we see these attributes being considered as rubbish. God changed Paul’s thinking and values through Christ. Things he thought were so important were now nothing. He had to cast these works of the flesh off and trust wholly in Jesus Christ for salvation. Paul warns us, “Beware of counterfeit Christianity!” Maybe you need to examine your heart: True Christians put off all confidence in human merit and trust completely in Christ Jesus for salvation. Don’t put our confidence in ourselves when it comes to our relationship with God, but once again in Christ alone. Watch out for those who would draw your attention away from Christ. Knowing Christ is the greatest thing of all. Have you trusted Christ as your Saviour and Lord? Are you resting in Christ alone to deliver you from the consequences of sin and the certain judgment to come? A true Christian can only boast in Christ, not self, for Christ alone is the Saviour. A true Christian has no confidence in the flesh but all confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ. May our confidence be in Christ alone!