by Jeff Ballard

Phil. 3: 1-11

Paul starts this passage addressing the issue of the false Judaizing teaching, which was a big first century problem.  I did not give these arguments much consideration for years, since I knew of no Judaizing teachers today.   However as I got on the internet, I came across of fairly large group of Messianic Jews living in Jerusalem and I found they were every bit Judaizing teachers very much like the first century had confront.

All the other Messianic Jews I had previously corresponded with had been Christians, who were also Jews (culturally). This Jerusalem group of Judaizing teachers is well educated, very scholarly, believe Jesus is the Messiah, believe the New Testament is inspired, love Paul and yet believe: “you have to follow the letter of the Law (if it is at all possible) to be a true Child of God”.   They really have to stretch scripture interpretations to explain away some of what Paul is saying (like Phil. 3: 1-11), but they seem very sincere and are some of the nicest people I have correspond with on the net.  They give a wonderful Jewish perspective to everything which has helped me.

Paul goes through some of what he has given up to follow Christ, so how do I apply this to my life?  I have “given up” Sunday morning golf, but I do not play golf so is that a sacrifice?  I might like a salvation system based on works and knowledge, since I enjoy studying and could pad a résumé to look good in my own eyes (by comparing myself to others), so yes, I have given that up.   I could easily be worse off, by this world’s standards, by not being a Christian, than by being a Christian, so what have I sacrificed to be a Christian? 

I often perceive: “being like Christ” is taking the high road, that people would respect you commitment, that you could take solace in doing the right thing and good would come from it.   The idea of being tortured and killed unjustly, with few knowing, little support from others and finding joy, is hard to imagine.  Martyrdom seems outside of our time and unique.  Yet if history is correct more people have died for the cause of Christ in the last 100 years than in all previous history combined.  In some parts of the world, it is as dangerous to be an elder/leader, as it was in the persecutions of the first century.   Should I seek out becoming a martyr for the cause by moving to India? Do we have enough martyrs?  Is it harder to live each day for the cause, then it is to die for the cause?   Paul’s teaching does not seem like a health and wealth sermon to me.