It's challenging to see how Paul’s description of ‘being set apart,’ or truly circumcised, has nothing to do with what it “should” from a human perspective--it's not our resume, it's not our reputation, and it's not our education. He even gives us the answer, too! The circumcised are: those that worship God rooted in the Spirit’s leading, those who rejoice in glorifying Jesus, and those that choose to not live by how their emotions or the world tell them to.

I think that Paul is using the word ‘confidence’ as an alternative to describe ‘success,’ or ‘merit.’ Look at the posture Paul has in today’s passage of Scripture. After noting the viciousness of legalism and works-based Judaism, he lists how he has all the right qualifications to be confident in his own flesh. On paper, he is indeed a Jew of extreme merit, and it seems like he should be right with God because of it. But, he shreds up his resume, chooses to disregard his status of being a chosen person, and accepts the confidence (or merit) found through hope in Jesus.

Maybe we should ask, what is driving us in our everyday lives? Is it being qualified through man’s standards? Pushing ourselves to meet every Law in the Book? Or, is it being so in love with the person of Jesus that we know, trust, and believe that we are simply qualified through Him and only Him?

The ones truly circumcised, the ones truly right with God, are the ones who have no confidence/merit in their flesh; but rather, the ones who rely on Jesus’ work on the cross.

These are good questions for us to ask ourselves often, though: Where do I find my merit? Where is my confidence?

Philippians 3.3-6

3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ Like Kim mentioned yesterday with verses 1-2, the law was being held tightly to, so Paul needed to address it in these verses.

+ What does Paul consider to be his “flesh” in these verses? [v. 5-6]

+ What might you consider your “flesh” to be after seeing Paul’s list?

+ Why do you think Paul gets so passionate about who he was as a practicing Jew?

+ Knowing Paul’s definition of “flesh” will help us understand the verses coming over the next couple of days.

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ Am I making a god out of my job? Out of my education? Out of my relationships? Maybe even out of my knowledge of the Word?

+ Is my merit coming from God, or from man-made ideas?

+ Do I need to step down from any positions or obligations so I can realign where my merit is found?

+ How might resting in Jesus look for me? If I am not sure, who can I reach out to so I can better understand this?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ Is anyone in my life stuck in a cycle of striving that needs to learn to rest in Jesus?