No
confidence In The Flesh
Finally,
my brothers, Rejoice in the Lord!
It
is not trouble for me to write the same things to you again,
And
it is a Safeguard for you.
2
WATCH OUT FOR THOSE DOGS,
THOSE
MEN WHO DO EVIL,
THOSE
MUTILATORS OF THE FLESH.
3
FOR IT IS WE WHO ARE THE CIRCUMCISION,
WE
WHO WORSHIP BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD,
WHO
GLORY IN CHRIST JESUS,
AND
WHO PUT NO CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH--
4
Though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
If
anyone else thinks he has reason to put 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;
In
regard to the Law, a Pharisee;
As
for Zeal, Persecuting the Church;
As
for Legalistic Righteousness, Faultless.
7
But whatever was to my profit
I
now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
8
WHAT IS MORE, I CONSIDER EVERYTHING A LOSS
COMPARED
TO THE SURPASSING GREATNESS
OF
KNOWING CHRIST JESUS MY LORD,
FOR
WHOSE SAKE I HAVE LOST ALL THINGS.
I
CONSIDER THEM RUBBISH,
THAT
I MAY GAIN CHRIST
9
AND BE FOUND IN HIM,
Not
having a Righteousness of my own that comes from the Law,
But
that which is through Faith in Christ--
THE
RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT COMES FROM GOD
AND
IS BY FAITH.
10
I WANT TO KNOW CHRIST
AND
THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION
AND
THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERINGS,
BECOMING
LIKE HIM IN DEATH ,
11
AND SO, SOMEHOW,
TO
ATTAIN TO THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD.
Pressing
On Toward The Goal
12
NOT THAT I HAVE ALREADY OBTAINED ALL THIS,
OR
HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE PERFECT,
BUT
I PRESS ON TO TAKE HOLD OF THAT
FOR
WHICH CHRIST JESUS TOOK HOLD OF ME.
13
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet
To
have taken hold of it.
BUT
ONE THING I DO :
FORGETTING
WHAT IS BEHIND
AND
STRAINING TOWARD WHAT IS AHEAD,
14
I PRESS ON TOWARD THE GOAL
TO
WIN THE PRIZE
FOR
WHICH GOD HAS CALLED ME HEAVENWARD
IN
CHRIST JESUS.
15
ALL OF US WHO ARE MATURE
SHOULD
TAKE SUCH A VIEW OF THINGS.
And
if on some point you think differently,
That
too Gd will make clear to you.
16
ONLY LET US LIVE UP
TO
WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY ATTAINED.
17
Join with others in following my example,
Brothers,
and take note of those
Who
love according to the Pattern we gave you.
18
For as I have often told you before and now say again
Even
with tears,
MANY
LIVE AS ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST.
19
THEIR DESTINY IS DESTRUCTION,
THEIR
GOD IS THEIR STOMACH,
AND
THEIR GLORY IS IN THEIR SHAME.
THEIR
MIND IS ON EARTHLY THINGS.
20
BUT OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN.
AND
WE EAGERLY AWAIT A SAVIOR FROM THERE,
THE
LORD JESUS CHRIST,
WHO
BY THE POWER THAT ENABLES HIM
TO
BRING EVERYTHING UNDER HIS CONTROL,
WILL
TRANSFORM OUR LOWLY BODIES
SO
THAT THEY WILL BE LIKE HIS GLORIOUS BODY.
(Philippians
3)
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