Read · Philippians 3:4–6

⁴ Though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons 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;

⁶ as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

Paul does something risky here. He builds the strongest possible case for himself before dismantling it, and he wants us to feel the weight of the résumé before he throws it away.

Look at the list carefully, because it covers every category a person can be proud of.

Paul’s Résumé

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 righteousness based on the law, faultless

He begins with the things he inherited. Circumcised on the eighth day means his family did everything right from the start. Of the people of Israel means the correct nation, and of the tribe of Benjamin means one of the most respected lines, the tribe that gave Israel its first king and stayed loyal when the kingdom divided. A Hebrew of Hebrews means his family had preserved the language and the customs rather than assimilating.

Then he moves to the things he chose. In regard to the law, a Pharisee, which was the most rigorous religious commitment available. As for zeal, persecuting the church, which by his own former standards was proof that he took God seriously enough to act. And then the summary line, as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

Paul’s problem was never that his résumé was weak. It was that it was strong, and it was in the way.

Faultless is a remarkable claim, and Paul isn’t being sarcastic. By the measurable external standards of his tradition, no one could point at anything and say he had failed.

So here’s the point that we usually miss. Paul’s problem was never that his résumé was weak. It was that it was strong, and it was in the way.

That’s what makes this passage difficult for religious people. It’s comparatively easy to admit that your failures can’t save you. It’s much harder to admit that your successes can’t either, and that the things you’re most respected for may be the very things you’re most tempted to trust.

Your Failures

Can’t Save You

Your Successes

Can’t Save You Either

Take five minutes today and write out your own version of this list. Family background, church history, service record, moral track record, giving, the whole thing. Don’t be falsely modest about it.

You have to see the list clearly before you can release it.

You have to see the list clearly before tomorrow’s verse can mean anything at all. Paul had to write his out as well, and he did it in a letter that his whole church would read out loud.

Reflect

Write your own version of Paul’s list. What would you put on it if you were making the strongest possible case for yourself?
Which item on that list would be hardest for you to lose? That’s likely where your confidence actually rests.

Today’s Move

Actually write the list today rather than only thinking about it.

Then look at it, and next to the item you’d find hardest to lose, write the words:

This can’t save me.

Leave it somewhere you’ll see it again tomorrow.

Pray

Father, I’ve quietly counted on things that were never able to save me, and some of them are things other people admire. Show me my list honestly. Let me see it clearly enough to release it, and don’t let my strengths stand between me and You. In Jesus’ name, amen.