In Philippians chapter 3, Paul reminds us of the true value of knowing Christ. He urges us to let go of our confidence in worldly achievements and instead place our hope in the righteousness that comes through faith. This chapter challenges us to examine our priorities, to press forward in our spiritual journey, and to focus on our eternal citizenship in heaven rather than the temporary pleasures of this world.
Paul begins by encouraging us to rejoice in the Lord. He recognizes that repetition is necessary, as we often need reminders of the truth. He warns us against those who place confidence in their own works and who try to impose legalistic practices on others. He calls them “dogs” and “evil workers,” referring to those who insist on circumcision as a requirement for salvation. Instead, he points us to a deeper understanding of what it means to be truly set apart for God—not through external rituals but through the transformation of our hearts.
Paul then uses his own life as an example. If anyone could have boasted about their religious credentials, it was Paul. He was circumcised on the eighth day, a member of Israel, from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. He was a Pharisee, zealous in his pursuit of the law, and even persecuted the early church because he believed he was defending God’s truth. In terms of righteousness under the law, he considered himself blameless. Yet, despite all these accomplishments, Paul tells us that he counts them as loss compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ.
This is a powerful lesson for us. It is easy to take pride in our achievements, whether they are religious, academic, professional, or personal. We often measure our worth by what we have done or how we compare to others. But Paul shows us that none of these things ultimately matter in light of Christ. He considers all of his past successes as “rubbish” because they pale in comparison to the greatness of being found in Christ. His desire is to be identified not by his own righteousness but by the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus.
Paul expresses his deep longing to know Christ fully—to experience the power of His resurrection and even to share in His sufferings. He understands that true life is found not in avoiding hardship but in walking the same path that Jesus walked. This means embracing difficulties, enduring trials, and even facing persecution if necessary. It is through these experiences that we grow in faith and are conformed to Christ’s image.
Paul then makes it clear that he has not yet reached perfection, but he presses on toward the goal. This reminds us that our faith journey is not about achieving a flawless life but about continually striving to grow in our relationship with Jesus. Paul uses the image of a race, urging us to forget what is behind and to reach forward to what is ahead. This is an important encouragement for us because we can easily become stuck in the past—either by dwelling on our failures or by clinging to past successes. But Paul teaches us that what matters most is not where we have been but where we are going. We are called to keep our eyes on Christ and to move forward with determination.
He encourages us to follow his example and to imitate those who live according to this pattern. In contrast, he warns about those who live as enemies of the cross of Christ. He describes them as people whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and who set their minds on earthly things. Their focus is on temporary pleasures rather than eternal truths. This serves as a reminder for us to examine where our own focus lies. Are we living for the things of this world, or are we keeping our hearts fixed on Christ?
Paul concludes by reminding us of our true citizenship. While we live in this world, we do not belong to it. Our ultimate home is in heaven, and we eagerly await our Savior, Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body. This promise gives us hope, especially when we face struggles, pain, or discouragement. No matter what challenges we encounter, we can hold on to the truth that our future is secure in Christ. He has the power to bring all things into submission under Him, and we can trust in His perfect plan.
Philippians 3 calls us to examine where we place our confidence. Are we relying on our own efforts, or are we trusting in Christ’s righteousness? It encourages us to press forward, to let go of distractions, and to focus on the eternal prize. It reminds us that suffering is part of the journey, but through it, we become more like Jesus. And above all, it points us to our true home—where we will one day see our Savior face to face and be transformed by His glory. Until then, let us keep running the race with endurance, knowing that everything we need is found in Him.