Thy Strong Word – Philippians 3:1-11: Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling

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Rev. Nathan Meador, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Wisconsin, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Philippians 3:1-11.

Paul calls us to task about confidence. Is our confidence in our own actions? Paul responds, “Let me tell you about actions: circumcised, direct lineage to the Israelites—no mixing with other nations, follower of the law, persecutor of anyone outside of Judaism, and righteous in all my actions.” Paul continues with a big “BUT” — but all of that is a wash, rubbish, a loss, and has no value compared to the surpassing righteousness of Christ’s cross that we receive in the gift of faith. Simple, but also beyond comprehension. Thanks be to God! “Lord God, fill us to have our confidence in Your cross and righteousness alone. Help us be faithful until our last breath and that we find our hope in Your grace, love, and forgiveness in Christ. In Him alone, Amen”

Thy Strong Word reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is hosted by Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, and graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.

Philippians 3:1-11

Righteousness Through Faith in Christ

3 Finally, my brothers,[a] rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God[b] and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for 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; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law,[c] blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

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Footnotes

Philippians 3:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 13, 17

Philippians 3:3 Some manuscripts God in spirit

Philippians 3:6 Greek in the law

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org