Philippians 3:1-9 ▼

1 Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! To write this again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh!

3 For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, exult in Christ Jesus, and do not rely on human credentials

4 --though mine too are significant. If someone thinks he has good reasons to put confidence in human credentials, I have more:

5 I was circumcised on the eighth day, from the people of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. I lived according to the law as a Pharisee.

6 In my zeal for God I persecuted the church. According to the righteousness stipulated in the law I was blameless.

7 But these assets I have come to regard as liabilities because of Christ.

8 More than that, I now regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things--indeed, I regard them as dung!--that I may gain Christ,

9 and be found in him, not because I have my own righteousness derived from the law, but because I have the righteousness that comes by way of Christ's faithfulness--a righteousness from God that is in fact based on Christ's faithfulness.