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“Realize
Everyday, For Our Redemption Messiah's Acceptance Truly Imparts
Omnipotent Nurture! (R.E.F.O.R.M.A.T.I.O.N)”
Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher
SCRIPTURE:
“Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no
trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for
you. Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the
flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of
God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh-- though
I myself have reasons for such confidence.” (Philippians 3:1-4)
OBSERVATIONS:
I asked myself what were the Philippians asked to
do?
1. Rejoice in the Lord!
2. Watch out for those dogs.
3. Watch out for those men who do evil.
4. Watch out for those mutilators of the flesh.
INTERPRETATION:
I asked myself why is it significant that
Paul asks the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord and writes the same things?
I found it so awesome that Paul is able to talk about rejoicing in the Lord
amidst what he is going through and keeps reminding them of the
same things for their spiritual well being. This shows me Paul’s relationship
with the Lord Jesus Christ evidenced by his own actions. What is more exciting
is that he wants the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord and turn to the Lord no
matter what is happening.
Even as he writes to them to rejoice in the Lord, he exhorts them with 3
interesting “Watch Outs”
INTERPRETATION:
I asked myself why Paul would say to
'watch out for those dogs'?
In the context of the passage, he is definitely not talking about
domestic animals. Yet, he uses dogs in his language. What came to my mind is the
sign “Beware of the dog/s” that people have near their houses. They have
the sign because the dogs can attack people if they see them. Once they
attack, they can severely injure the victim. It is possible that the victim can
die too because of the attack of the dog. The victim can be severely mutilated
too because of the attack.
When I thought about Paul’s warning in that context, it occurred to me that
Paul is warning the Philippians of those people who would attack them with all
kinds of heretical and dangerous theology that is not even Scriptural. If they
put themselves in that position, it is very well possible that they could be
severely injured spiritually to the point of spiritual death. Paul wants them to
be very cautious if he is going to use a metaphor like that. Attacking a person
spiritually can be evil if it is done in a manipulative and heretical way.
I asked myself why would Paul say, that there are
those men that do evil?
I believe the
evil lies in the theology that they try to get across to the people to kill
spiritually. Paul wants
them to be aware of that to the point that he mentions there are those that are
mutilators of the flesh.
I asked myself what does Paul mean by
mutilators of the flesh?
What came to my mind is circumcision. It appears Paul is telling the
Philippians to beware of those who are putting an emphasis on physical
circumcision to be right with God. I thought about that because in the next
verses Paul writes to the Philippians:
“For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by
the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the
flesh-- though I myself have reasons for such confidence.” (Philippians 3:3-4)
OBSERVATION/INTERPRETATION:
I asked myself how is it that we are the
circumcision?
Paul is letting the Philippians know that they are the true circumcision, not
because they have a physical circumcision but because of a Spiritual
circumcision in their lives. He gives them evidence to know how they are the
circumcision regardless of what others were proclaiming by stating 3 important
points:
1. We who worship by the Spirit of God
2. We who glory in Christ Jesus
3. We who put no confidence in the flesh
I asked myself the significance of Paul mentioning
'we who are the circumcision?'
What came to my mind is that a person being
physically circumcised will not make them right with God unless they are
spiritually circumcised in Christ Jesus. Paul wanted the
Philippians to beware of those who were putting all the emphasis on law over
grace. Paul does not want the emphasis to be on what human beings can do to save
themselves.
I asked myself the significance of the three examples?
Some try to save themselves by worshiping God but I feel Paul is saying that
will not be enough to save them too if the worship is not by the Spirit of God.
It won’t matter how many times people worship if there worship is not done with
the Spirit of God residing in them. For that to happen, Paul reminds them that
it is those who glory in Christ. What came to my mind is those who live
for Christ and have their excitement in Christ. It is those who put their
emphasis on Jesus to help them in their walk of life and not being confident of
what they accomplish in the flesh who will be spiritually circumcised and saved.
I asked myself what example does Paul use to emphasize
'who put no confidence in the flesh?'
To make his point, Paul uses himself as an example:
“If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in
the flesh, I have more: 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 legalistic righteousness,
faultless.” (Philippians 3:5-6)
I asked myself what 7 points does Paul make to show
his confidence in the flesh was to no avail?
He lets the Philippians know that he had all these things going in his favor but
none of them were enough to save him:
1. Being circumcised on the eight day
was not enough!
2. Being of the people of Israel was not enough!
3. Being of the tribe of Benjamin
was not enough!
4. Being a Hebrew of Hebrews was not enough!
5. Being a Pharisee in regard to the law was not enough!
6. Being zealous and persecuting the church
was not enough!
7. Being faultless because of legalistic righteousness was not enough!
I asked myself, why was none of that enough for Paul?
Because everything above had to do with what Paul did and who he was in
his flesh. He knew that was not going to save him. Yet, it is in this direction
that Paul feels that there are those people that will try to lead the
Philippians astray. He wants them to be careful and points them to Christ over
their flesh.
I asked myself what 7 evidences does Paul give to point
them to Christ over the flesh?
This is evidenced by the next verses I learned about:
”But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for
the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the
surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost
all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him,
not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is
through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of
sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to
attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:7-11)
The answer is Jesus Christ for Paul:
1. Whatever was to my profit I consider loss for the SAKE OF Christ!
2. Consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of KNOWING
Christ Jesus my Lord!
3. I consider everything rubbish that I may GAIN Christ!
4. I consider everything rubbish that I may be FOUND in Christ!
5. Finding the righteousness not from the law but through FAITH in Christ!
6. I want to know the POWER of Christ’s resurrection.
7. I want to know the FELLOWSHIP of sharing in Christ's sufferings becoming like
Him in his death to attain the resurrection from the dead.
IMPLICATIONS:
I asked myself what are the important implications for my own life?
As I studied these verses
what came to my mind is it does not matter if I worship daily, if I am part of a
Christian family, if I know the Bible from front to back, and how much zeal I
have if I do not KNOW JESUS CHRIST personally. I can only come to know Jesus
Christ personally when I acknowledge why Jesus had to die for me on the Cross of
Redemption realizing:
1. My worship will not save me!
2. Being raised in a Christian family will not save me!
3. Knowing Scripture from front to back will not save me!
4. My religious zeal will not save me!
All these things may make people look pious and religious but it will not SAVE
them apart from KNOWING Jesus Christ, GAINING Jesus Christ, being FOUND in Jesus
Christ, and most of all having a RIGHTEOUSNESS that does not come from the law
but through faith in Jesus Christ that comes from God. God is endorsing Jesus
Christ for our Salvation. This is the only way we can be saved by the
reformation that occurs in our lives because of Christ deciding to "die a death
we should have deserved and giving us a treatment, He should have deserved."
(Tim Keller's Gospel Christianity, Why Jesus Had To Die?)
HOW GOSPEL
GIVES ME TESTIMONY REGARDING REFORMATION:
For reformation to occur in my life, "an atonement had to happen
incorporating five things to be understood in light of the cross of Christ:
SACRIFICE, DEBT, BATTLE, RIGHTEOUSNESS, and LAW." (Gospel Christianity).
This is based on the Tim Keller's Gospel Christianity series: 'Why Jesus Had To Die?' that
Pastor Ed facilitated.
As
I thought about today's study regarding circumcision, I realized reformation of
my life in Christ can only happen as these points are understood as a
transaction of the cross.
'Why cannot God cannot just forgive us no matter what we do
but Jesus had to die for forgiveness to happen?'
I like to call that the DEBT OF ATONEMENT for the
CREDIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS as a TRANSACTION of the CROSS OF CHRIST.
Through the Gospel Christianity study and my study of
the Book of Philippians until now points me to the fact that everything about
the REFORMATION, hinges on Christ alone for the ATONEMENT of my sins!
It is Christ's atonement as a transaction of the cross which provides me
JUSTIFICATION, PONTIFICATION, SANCTIFICATION, and finally GLORIFICATION as I
place my faith in Christ to attain His righteousness, knowing Christ, gaining
Christ, and being found in Christ for my spiritual circumcision.
As Paul addressed circumcision and who he was, he was
making the Philippians see the importance of the reformation that occurs in our
lives through Christ. He wanted the Philippians to grasp that they will not be
saved through circumcision of the flesh, through ethnicity, through religion,
through family status, through religious worship, through the law, etc. The only
way for spiritual circumcision for reformation of our own lives too would happen
only if we understand that Salvation comes
through grace by faith in Jesus Christ and not by our own works.
I ask you now dear friends, why for
R.E.F.O.R.M.A.T.I.O.N you
need the transaction of the cross?
Studying this passage made me think of the 5 S's of the Reformation:
1. ‘Sola Scriptura’ - By Scripture Alone
2. ‘Sola Gratia’ - By Grace Alone
3. ‘Solo Christo’ - By Christ Alone
4. ‘Sola Fide’ - By Faith Alone
5. ‘Soli Deo Gloria’ - Glory To God Alone
all occurring because of the transaction of the cross for our sake.
It is especially exciting to know that even though Paul was in prison, he
was still emphasizing Salvation through faith in Christ Jesus to the Philippians
over the theology of works!
Friend, my Salvation in Christ is based upon the gift of grace I have received
from Jesus. It is a free gift offered to me by Jesus Christ so I can be set free
from the power of sin and death. All I have to do is receive Jesus into my life
and make Him the Lord of my life. You can too!
“For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is
eternal life through Jesus Christ.” (Romans 6:23)
When I acknowledge Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior letting Him know what a
sinner I have been, confess and repent of my sins to the Lord and turn to Him
for His cleansing blood to cleanse me of all my unrighteousness, I have received
the free gift of Salvation through faith that Jesus Christ offers apart from the
law.
I am saved to the bone not because of any works I have done but because of what
Jesus Christ already did on the cross. It is Christ Alone that saves me and
nothing I have done or do can save me apart from Christ.
That does not mean that I go on living my life in a hedonistic way because once
I come to Christ and receive His forgiveness, He sends His Holy Spirit to reside
in me. As I yield to Christ, He will work in me and through me. Now the good
works that come out of me will be seen as good from the Lord because I am not
doing it in my own flesh but the Spirit of God working in me and through me. It
is grace that saves me and the works reveal to others that I am saved. The works
are a fruit of my Salvation rather than working to attain Salvation or a means
of Salvation.
This does not mean I will never sin because I will if I yield to my own flesh.
For the Word says, "Live by the Spirit and you will not
fulfill the lust of the flesh."
I hope your concept of being saved is not based on how many times you go to
worship the Lord, how many times you pray, how many times you read the Bible,
how many times you take Communion, and if your family is a Christian, etc.
None of that can save us and reform us to be what Christ wants us to be if Jesus
Alone is not the reason for our Salvation. None of what we do can give us
brownie points apart from Jesus Christ being our Lord and Savior!
In summary, studying this passage made me think of the 5 S's of the Reformation:
1. ‘Sola Scriptura’ - By Scripture Alone
2. ‘Sola Gratia’ - By Grace Alone
3. ‘Solo Christo’ - By Christ Alone
4. ‘Sola Fide’ - By Faith Alone
5. ‘Soli Deo Gloria’ - Glory To God Alone
May we all reform our own thinking on how to be saved by remembering that
Scripture alone, Grace alone, Christ alone, Faith alone, and all done to the
Glory to God alone WILL save us as a transaction of the cross occurred for our
sake.
"Realize Everyday, For Our Redemption Messiah's Acceptance
Truly Imparts Omnipotent Nurture! (R.E.F.O.R.M.A.T.I.O.N)"/"Why for R.E.F.O.R.M.A.T.I.O.N
you need the transaction of the cross?"
PRAYER:
Dear Jesus, I want to thank you for dying for my
sins and coming back to life to save me as you love me so much. Your love is
what has imparted to us your free gift of grace to be saved. Lord Jesus, you
alone can save us and not anything we do or others do for us will save us. So
Lord help us to always seek you and know from your grace alone that comes
through faith alone in you is the only way we can be saved according to your
Scripture alone to the Glory of God, our Heavenly Father. No matter what we do
whether it is worshipping you, praying to you, reading your Word, taking
communion, etc let it be because we love you and are excited to fellowship with
you and remember what you have done for us. May they not be for the sole reason
of being saved because we cannot save ourselves by anything we do but only by
your grace!
So we thank you for your grace to help us win the race
for you are our ultimate Ace! Jesus, as we give our life to you, we ask you to
fill us with your Holy Spirit and guide us so that the good works we do will be
the fruit of righteousness as our relationship with you. They will know we are
Christians by our love shown by the fruit you display of our lives. Help us Lord. Thank you for your cleansing blood that cleanses us from
all unrighteousness. Thank you for saving us as we turn to you for you give us a
promise in Scripture alone saying, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for
there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be
saved.” I claim this promise from Acts 4:12. Help us to live for you and serve
you Lord. Thank you for hearing us and answering our prayers. Thank you for all
that I have learned from your Word. Help me to put it to practice. In Your Name
I Pray Jesus! Amen!
May the Lord Jesus guide you in
His love leading you! Amen!
No matter what you feel in your heart,
know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To
make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him
as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the
Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turning them into
prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel
of John or Gospel of
Mark before moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord
show you to which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be part of a body of believers to
help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches
the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our
crucified and risen Lord who brings us hope, healing, and help by His
grace alone!
Feel free to email me at
reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com
if you want to meet to study the Bible,
pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My
number is 412-641-9426
"This is my
work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work
within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)
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2013 DEVOTIONALS:
Philippians 2:25-30:"When will your H.O.M.E.C.O.M.I.N.G begin?"By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Tues, Aug 13, 13, 10:39 a.m.)
Philiippians 2:20-24:
"How can you Q.U.A.L.I.F.Y well in other
people's lives?"By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Fri, Aug 09, 13, 08:38 a.m.)
Philippians 2:17-19: "When do you live out your F.A.I.T.H in
life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Thurs, Aug 08, 13, 03:19 a.m.)
Philippians 2:14-16:
"What does your B.E.H.A.V.I.O.R do for others
in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Wed, Aug 07, 13, 12:03 p.m.)
Philippians 2:13: "How do you W.O.R.K out your Salvation?"By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Mon, Aug 05, 13, 01:33 p.m.)
Philippians 2:13: "What path have you taken for
S.A.L.V.A.T.I.O.N in your life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Mon, Aug 05, 13, 01:33 p.m.)
Philippians 2:12-13:
"What is the point of O.B.E.D.I.E.N.C.E in
life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Sat, Aug 03, 13, 01:28 p.m.)
Philippians 2:9-11:
"How do you handle the N.A.M.E of Jesus in
life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Fri, Aug 02, 13, 07:58 a.m.)
Philippians 2:8:
"What can the C.R.O.S.S do for you in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Thurs, Aug 01, 13, 08:03 a.m.)
Philippians 2:5-7:"How do you match Jesus' A.T.T.I.T.U.D.E in
life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Wed, July 31, 13, 10:50 a.m.)
Mark 10:6-9:
"What does Jesus want for your
M.A.R.R.I.A.G.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Tues, July 30, 13, 11:24 a.m.)
Philippians 2:3-4:
"How do you respond to God's C.O.M.M.A.N.D.S
in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Mon, July 29, 13, 09:53 a.m.)
Philiippians 2:1-2:
"What C.O.N.D.I.T.I.O.N are you in?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Sat, July 27, 13, 11:42 a.m.)
Philippians 1:29-30:
"How do you handle S.U.F.F.E.R.I.N.G in
life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Fri, July 26, 13, 10:02 a.m.)
Philippians 1:27-28:
"How do you C.O.N.D.U.C.T yourself in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Thurs, July 25, 13, 11:17 a.m.)
Philippians 1:22-26:
"What are your C.H.O.I.C.E.S based on?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Wed, July 24, 13, 09:50 a.m.)
Philippians 1:21:
"Why D.I.E for Christ?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Mon, July 22, 13, 3:33 p.m.)
Philippians 1:21:
"Why L.I.V.E your life to be appreciated by
others?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Fri, July 19, 13, 10:20 a.m.)
Philippians 1:20:
"Where do you need to have C.O.U.R.A.G.E in
life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Thurs, July 18, 13, 05:17 a.m.)
Philippians 1:19:
"Who should you C.A.L.L often in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Wed, July 17, 13, 09:41 a.m.)
Philippians 1:19:
"What reason do you have to R.E.J.O.I.C.E in
life?" By
Ramesh C. Reddy
(Tues, July 16, 10:23 a.m.)
Philippians 1:15-18:
"How are your M.O.T.I.V.E.S in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Mon, July 15, 04:57 a.m.)
Philippians 1:12-14:"What have your C.H.A.I.N.S done to others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Thurs, July 11, 10:40 a.m.)
Philippians 1:12:
How can you A.D.V.A.N.C.E the Gospel?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Wed, July 10, 11:46 a.m.)
Philippians 1:9-11:
"What is your L.O.V.I.N.G response based on?" By
Ramesh C. Reddy
(Mon, July 07, 03:24 a.m.)
Philippians 1:7-8:
"How can your A.F.F.E.C.T.I.O.N grow towards
others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Thurs, June 27, 10:21 a.m.)
Philippians 1:7-8:
"Why can you only be saved by G.R.A.C.E
alone?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Wed, June 26, 10:42 a.m.)
Philippians 1:3-6:
"Where are you C.O.N.F.I.D.E.N.T in?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Tues, June 25, 12:42 p.m.)
Philippians 1:3-6:
"How can you attain a P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S.H.I.P in
the Gospel?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Mon, June 24, 11:22 a.m.)
Philippians 1:1-3:
"How will others R.E.A.C.T towards God when
they remember you?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Sat, June 22, 11:34 a.m.)
Philippians 1:1-2:
"Why bother to let others T.R.A.I.N you when
you are already a leader?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(June 21, 10:58 a.m.)
Philippians 1:1-2:
"When do you B.L.E.S.S others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(June 20, 08:33 a.m.)
Philippians 1:1-2:
"Who will you be a S.L.A.V.E to in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(June 19, 1:26 p.m.)
Philippians 1:1:
"Why should you believe you are H.O.L.Y
instead of a sinner?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(June 17, 11:38 p.m.)
Psalm 46:1:
"Where do you need R.E.F.U.G.E from?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(June 14, 08:30 a.m.)
Proverbs 14:12:
"Why seek God's R.I.G.H.T over our right?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(June 14, 08:30 a.m.)
Psalm 42:5:
"Why H.O.P.E and praise the Lord in your
distress?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(June 13, 01:36 p.m.)
Psalm 40:1-5:
"Where do you need to be L.I.F.T.E.D up in
life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(June 13, 01:34 p.m.)
Mark 9:28-29:
"What can P.R.A.Y.E.R to Jesus do in your
friends lives?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(June 11, 07:53 a.m.)
Mark 2:2-5:
"What kind of F.R.I.E.N.D will you be thought
of as?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(June 10, 07:03 a.m.)
Mark 3:14-15:
"Why S.P.E.N.D time with Jesus daily?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(June 08, 11:07 a.m.)
Psalm 34:4:
"What can you do with your F.E.A.R.S in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(June 07, 2013, 8:43 a.m.)
Psalm 33:4:
"What will you do with F.A.I.T.H in your
classes?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(June 05, 2013, 9:31 a.m.)
Mark 1:43-44:
"What does your disobedience C.A.U.S.E for
others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(June 03, 2013, 2:57 a.m.)
Mark 1:41-42:
"What past do you need to be C.L.E.A.N from?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(May 31, 2013, 10:54 a.m)
Proverbs 29:25:
"Where will you take a S.T.A.N.D without
wavering?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(May 30, 2013, 07:43 a.m)
Matthew
18:21-22:"Why F.O.R.G.I.V.E when it will happen again?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(May 29 2013, 09:35 a.m)
Psalm 27:14:"How do you C.O.P.E with your hurt?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(May 27, 2013, 11:13 a.m)
John 12:24:"Who do you remember physically and
spiritually on this M.E.M.O.R.I.A.L day?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(May 27, 2013, 11:13 a.m)
"What has the law P.E.R.M.I.T.T.E.D you to do
but it goes against the Lord?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(May 09, 2013, 6:57 a.m)
"Who do you become an A.T.T.R.A.C.T.I.O.N to
and why?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(May 08, 2013, 6:58 a.m)
"What has A.N.G.E.R done to your
relationships?"
By
Ramesh C. Reddy
(April 29, 13, 1:28 p.m.)
"How can the L.I.G.H.T impact your life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(April 06, 13, 11:48 a.m.)
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