We need to pick up a few more nuggets from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Chapter 3 is another diatribe on legalism – the idea that we can please God by keeping a set of carefully defined rules. The Pharisees excelled at it! Paul opens with a clear warning:

Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh. (Philippians 3.2, 3, ESV)

Who are the dogs and evildoers? Legalists! Church members who are dividing the body over do’s and don’t’s. In Paul’s day, Jewish legalists were insisting that Gentile men be circumcised. Andy Stanley said, “That will put a damper on your new-member orientation program!” Sadly, it was an issue that was already decided in Acts 15. James said:

It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. (Acts 15.19, NIV)

Legalism is alive and well today, each tradition with its own set of rules. I write about this frequently (maybe because it’s in the Bible frequently!).

Paul continues with strong language:

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 

• Their end is destruction, 
• their god is their belly, and 
• they glory in their shame, 
• with minds set on earthly things. (Philippians 3.18, 19, ESV, bulleted for clarity)

Legalists “mind earthly things”

• Their god is their belly – foods they eat and don’t eat
• Their glory is in their circumcision

They are enemies of the cross of Christ – the cross by which legalism was put to death.

This is the chapter with the famous “press toward the goal” verse:

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3.13, 14, ESV)

I press toward the goal. I have not attained the real goal – that requires perseverance. On the other hand, legalism can be attained as Paul explains in verses 5 and 6:

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; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. (Philippians 3.5, 6, ESV)

I’m having trouble landing this plane… Let’s give it one more day.

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. (Galatians 5.1 – 6, ESV)