Three Characteristics of True Believers: Philippians 3:4
“3) Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; 4) for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,”. Philippians 3:2-3
So, if we are to beware of evil workers and the false circumcision, who can we trust? Keep in mind, both Jesus and the early Christians suffered much at the hands of the Sanhedrin and Jewish religious zealots.
What Paul says in verse three is absolutely profound. He gives three characteristics of true believers and the body of Christ. Let’s examine them carefully.
First, the true circumcision worship in the Spirit of God. They are characterized by the fruit and inner workings of the Holy Spirit. When I meet so called “Christians” who are religious but have no understanding of or communion with the Holy Spirit, something is tragically wrong! The absence of the inner workings of the Holy Spirt is a huge caution light.
Second, the true circumcision glory in Christ Jesus. They don’t mock or ridicule those who love Jesus Christ, rather they rejoice and glory together “in Him.” Jesus is their common joy and focal point. True believers love and embrace Jesus Christ.
Third, the true circumcision put no confidence in the flesh. They are spiritual and not carnal. (See 2 Corinthians 2:6-3:3, Galatians 5:16-26) Carnal of fleshly governed people are void of Spirit no matter how religious they sound.
Paul was not impressed with religion. As he shares in the next several verses, he was devoutly religious before he met Jesus Christ and was transformed into a new man.
Let me say it clearly, Paul embraced Spirit filled people who genuinely loved and worshipped Jesus Christ. In the absence of the inner flow of living water, he walked carefully. (See John 7:37-39) He suffered much at the hands of merely religious people.
If you do not resonate with or understand Scriptures like 1 Corinthians 2:4-13, Galatians 3:2-5, Galatians 5:16-26 and Philippians 3:3-16, something is woefully missing in your life. You are void of Spirit. By biblical definition you are freshly and carnal. You are religious but lost. You are part of the mission field and not the mission force.
Slow down and walk very slowly through Paul’s personal testimony in Philippians 3:3-16. If you have not found a surpassing value in Jesus Christ, something is missing! You may be religious but your flesh is in control of your life. We may embrace the same theology, but we cannot worship together “in the Spirit.”
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“3) Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; 4) for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,”. Philippians 3:2-3
So, if we are to beware of evil workers and the false circumcision, who can we trust? Keep in mind, both Jesus and the early Christians suffered much at the hands of the Sanhedrin and Jewish religious zealots.
What Paul says in verse three is absolutely profound. He gives three characteristics of true believers and the body of Christ. Let’s examine them carefully.
First, the true circumcision worship in the Spirit of God. They are characterized by the fruit and inner workings of the Holy Spirit. When I meet so called “Christians” who are religious but have no understanding of or communion with the Holy Spirit, something is tragically wrong! The absence of the inner workings of the Holy Spirt is a huge caution light.
Second, the true circumcision glory in Christ Jesus. They don’t mock or ridicule those who love Jesus Christ, rather they rejoice and glory together “in Him.” Jesus is their common joy and focal point. True believers love and embrace Jesus Christ.
Third, the true circumcision put no confidence in the flesh. They are spiritual and not carnal. (See 2 Corinthians 2:6-3:3, Galatians 5:16-26) Carnal of fleshly governed people are void of Spirit no matter how religious they sound.
Paul was not impressed with religion. As he shares in the next several verses, he was devoutly religious before he met Jesus Christ and was transformed into a new man.
Let me say it clearly, Paul embraced Spirit filled people who genuinely loved and worshipped Jesus Christ. In the absence of the inner flow of living water, he walked carefully. (See John 7:37-39) He suffered much at the hands of merely religious people.
If you do not resonate with or understand Scriptures like 1 Corinthians 2:4-13, Galatians 3:2-5, Galatians 5:16-26 and Philippians 3:3-16, something is woefully missing in your life. You are void of Spirit. By biblical definition you are freshly and carnal. You are religious but lost. You are part of the mission field and not the mission force.
Slow down and walk very slowly through Paul’s personal testimony in Philippians 3:3-16. If you have not found a surpassing value in Jesus Christ, something is missing! You may be religious but your flesh is in control of your life. We may embrace the same theology, but we cannot worship together “in the Spirit.”
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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