Paul showcases four role models of humility and sacrificial service that he wants his readers to emulate. First is Christ, the Perfect Prototype of every virtue (Philippians 2:6-11). Next, he features Timothy and Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:19-30).

And now, in contrast to the negative example of the Judaizers who trust in the flesh, Paul shares his own life journey. From his birth (Philippians 3:4-5), to his advancement in Judaism (Philippians 3:5-6), to his present quest (Philippians 3:7-10), to his hope in the Resurrection (Philippians 3:11-14).

Like a man poring over a spreadsheet, Paul gives an account of his past in marketplace terms. His cache of religious and social capital was enormous: A true-blue Hebrew. A pedigree Pharisee. As righteous as Moses. As zealous as Phinehas (Numbers 25:6-9).

With credentials like that, the sky was the limit. But when the blinding light of Christ shone into his heart, the spreadsheet saw red. Everything he had stood to gain in the flesh now amounted to less than zero.

On catching sight of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, Paul saw the horror of his spiritual bankruptcy. He rolled up his self-righteousness and religious capital and flushed it all down the toilet.

The Greek word for “rubbish” in verse 8 is too vulgar to translate literally. Compared to the excellence of knowing Christ, everything Paul had once valued so highly was now reduced to slop and sewage.

But still, he had to let it all go in order to gain Christ.

Paul imitated the Perfect Prototype. He did not regard his pedigree in Judaism as something to exploit. He made the rest of his life an icon of Christ.

He emptied himself, humbled himself, took on the form of a slave, and became obedient unto death. Thus he had the unmitigated spiritual and moral authority to say: “Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me” (Philippians 3:17).

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1).

Pray Now

1 Paul’s spiritual résumé was as stunning as they come. Like most ‘religious’ people today, he had enough morality to keep him out of trouble, but not enough righteousness to get him into heaven! It was not bad things that kept Paul away from Jesus — it was good things! He had to lose his ‘religion’ to find salvation (Warren Wiersbe). Jesus loves all the religious people in our city. Pray for divine encounters and dramatic conversions (Acts 9:1-19). Ask God to make their stories go viral for His glory. And deploy as many of them as He pleases to be His CIOs (Chief Influence Officers) for the Gospel in their respective circles in our city and around the world. 

2 Key Performance Indicators (KPI) are helpful evaluation tools. Yet dare we ask ourselves: Are we majoring on externals and going through the motions? Do we rely more on our religious goodness than on the righteousness of Christ? Beware the subtle deception of self-righteousness. Like the Pharisee in the temple and the elder brother in the Parable of the Prodigal, we can do all the “right” things but still be lost in the Father’s house — and not even know it! (Luke 15:11-32, Luke 18:9-14) 

Examine yourself. Does your good conduct flow from sincere faith, genuine love, and the righteousness of Christ in you? Or from self-righteous attempts to score on KPI, earn points with God, feel good, look good, and impress others? Do you think that such things can merit salvation? Ask yourself the above questions with regard to each of the following:

• I read God’s Word.
• I hear and obey God’s Word.
• I seek God in prayer.
• I pray with others.
• I pray for others.
• I practise fasting.
• I tithe my income.
• I give freewill offerings.
• I keep the Sabbath holy.
• I honour my parents.
• I love my nation.
• I belong to a local church.
• I do my duty and follow the rules.
• I serve the community.
• I witness for Christ.
• I give to the poor.
• I don’t covet.
• I don’t cheat or steal.
• I don’t take God’s name in vain.
• I don’t gossip.
• I don’t speak ill of others.
• I don’t sow discord.
• I don’t bear grudges.
• I don’t lie or bear false witness.
• I don’t smoke or drink.
• I don’t watch porn.
• I don’t date non-Christians.
• I don’t commit sexual perversion.
• I don’t lower my moral standard.
• I don’t hold back on doing right.
• I don’t despise foreigners.
• I don’t hate homosexuals.

3 A keen observer has found that second-generation Christians now form the majority of the Singapore Church. Confess these truths on their behalf. Pray for them by name:

God has no grandchildren. Being born into a Christian home doesn’t save me. Religion cannot save me. Church attendance cannot save me. Church membership cannot save me. Baptism alone cannot save me. Theological education cannot save me. Ordination cannot save me. Being Counsellor of the Year cannot save me. Being a Voice in the Wilderness for justice, truth, and righteousness cannot save me. Only Christ can save me!

Follow Salt&Light on Telegram, Facebook or Instagram for more of LoveSingapore’s daily devotions until August 8, 2022.