Beware of Dogs!

Paul’s Astonishing Revelation in Philippians 3 That Will Protect Your Soul

Self-righteousness can do much damage to the lives of believers.
Paul, the apostle, knew this.
So he did his best to safeguard us.
In Philippians chapter 3, Paul pleads with us to stay away from doctrines that promote self-righteousness.
And the people who promote them.
Paul calls them ‘dogs.’
‘Evil workers.’
‘The mutilation.’
These were people who said, “If you want to get right with God, you also need to do this ... and that ...”
In Paul’s days, it was circumcision.
Today, it might be something else.
Because doctrines of self-righteousness are still around today.
Albeit in different packages.
Paul had an answer to that.
He could boldly say: “I’ve been there. I have done that!”
He even said, “According to the righteousness which is of the law, I was blameless.”
“BUT ... this is all poo!”
Yes—amazingly—Paul said this.
But why this passionate language?
Because all this self-righteousness didn’t help Paul to know God!
To get to know God, we need to embrace the gift of righteousness.
This is God’s righteousness that comes to us by faith.
This is the key to knowing God.
Paul’s revelation shows us the way so we can get to know God better.
We need to steward this revelation well.
Because it will protect our soul.