Philippians 3:1-11

In this passage I am struck by how Paul so seemingly easily de-values his past "qualifications" and focuses on a vision founded in Christ.

In verses 2-3 he contrasts a false circumcision with a true circumcision which entails "...worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus...".  What does that look like?  I think the thoughts he shares subsequently in this passage provide such an illustration.

How do we loosely cling to the past yet strongly cling to a vision of our future in Christ?  Paul's "resume" is quite impressive but he counts that as loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus.  It's not just a future in which Christ provides some sort of reward.  Knowing Jesus Christ is the thing of great value. 

Counting all things as loss?  How often to I point to good things in my background that I think should effectively justify my present perspective?  Because I have previously done ______, that means that in this situation, since I think _______, that's what needs to be done. 

So, even if we could somehow "count all things as loss" it's not just the good "stuff" that Jesus gives to us in which our vision should be found.  Rather, it is Jesus Christ himself in whom our vision should be found.  I think this ties into the "bread of life" and "living water" passages of the gospels.

Verses 10 & 11:  That I may know Him and the...

• power of His resurrection (OK, that sounds good)
• fellowship of His sufferings (really !?!)

... being conformed to His death (is Paul serious?).  Why?  In order to attain to the resurrection from the dead.  The avenue from death to life is not saying some magic prayer, attending some church, doing the right things - it's knowing Him, truly knowing Him.

Paul doesn't speak of this sort of vision as being one mere option in the proverbial grocery store of faith.  It's a challenge to all of us who call ourselves Christ-followers.