Philippians 3:1-11 Paul's Treasure

On, how these 11 verses must have shaken the other Pharisees who ever read them!  Paul had it all, as far as they were concerned, yet gave it all up for Christ.  They were consumed with never having sinful actions, yet they completely missed the fact that they had sinful attitudes and appetites.  Their treasures of their religion were nothing but refuse and Paul had discovered that and cleaned it out of his life.

Paul took an accountant’s view of it all here.  He listed all of his good works as assets and assigned very little value to them as far as making himself right with God.  It tallied up to spiritual bankruptcy compared to Christ’s spiritual balance sheet, which was perfect.  Paul realized that God had made some adjusting entries on his behalf.  He added Christ’s righteousness to the asset side, and then He subtracted Paul’s sins from the liability side, moving them over to Christ’s books!  “And God promised Paul that He would never write his sins against him anymore!”

My commentary wrapped it all up:  “When he was living under law, all Paul had was a set of rules.  But now he had a Friend, a Master, a constant Companion!”

Father, I agree with what Paul said here:  “I want to know Christ and the power that raised Him from the dead.  I want to share in His sufferings and become like Him in His death.  Then I have hope …”

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford