Then I said Philippians 3:1 but I will have to show up through verse 21 because of the subheading that this section could carry which is this, “Renewed in the Knowledge, or The Goal of Life” could be another title. At any rate here is what it says; “Finally, rejoice in the Lord. I write the same things to you, to me indeed it is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision (those who want to keep the secret a secret as in sealing up a thing to keep it hidden and there unknown). For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the (Spirit through) spirit, and rejoice in (through) Christ Jesus (Spirit to spirit), and have no confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the Law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the Church (quite literally the Body of Christ made up at that time primarily of Jewish converts); touching the righteousness which is in the Law, blameless.
But what things were gain to me, those I count as loss for Christ. Yes doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the Knowledge of Christ Jesus my LORD: for Whom I have suffered the loss of all things (this is also to be our own statement after we have gained the more accurate knowledge of Him), and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found In Him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ (in the law of faith and Grace which work through Love), the righteousness which is of God by (through) faith: That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death; If by any means I might attain to the resurrection of the dead.
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God In Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing you be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule (kingdom law), let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so (contrary to) as you have us for an example. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.*)
For our conversation (and hope) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like to His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”
For
me the obvious question is who are the dogs Paul is making reference
to here, are they now the Hebrews still bound up in Judaism? Because
they are not the head but rather are the tail of the dog, which kept
nipping at Paul and those of his caliber, and which reaches through
to today.
*To this I could and indeed should add those who follow the
church doctrine and systems of man and not the teachings of Christ
Jesus. Because these are the minding of earthly things, such as
health, wealth and prosperity, coupled with the name it and claim it
doctrine and even the literal or futuristic understanding of all
things still being centered around Israel as they had been before
John the Baptist and Jesus Himself appeared as the final of the last
of days.
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