Focus: Flesh On Parade

Text: Phil.3:4-7

"Though I might also have confidence in the FLESH. If any other man THINKETH that he hath whereof he might TRUST in the FLESH, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the TRIBE of Benjamin, an HEBREW of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a PHARISEE; Concerning ZEAL, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, BLAMELESS. But what THINGS were GAIN to me, those I counted LOSS for Christ."

When Christ entered Paul's life, everything changed. His life was radically altered. His belief system changed. His value system changed. His priorities changed. His worldview changed. His life's pursuit changed. His lifestyle was different. Nothing was ever the same with Paul. In comparison to Christ he saw the vanity of fleshly qualifications, attainments and accomplishments. In the presence of Christ all fleshly glory pales in significance. He saw Christ as all that mattered, not his degrees and pedigrees. His life was not about Christ and other things, but about Christ alone. He saw the things of the flesh as mere props and prods.

Academic qualifications, social standing, national or tribal advantages, and all other benefits were no longer things worthy of projection. They no longer deserved a place of primary importance. For Paul, they had lost attention and attraction.

What are some of these things in the life and world of Paul? 

*Circumcised the eight day - religious pride

*Stock of Israel - national pride

*Tribe of Benjamin - tribal pride

*Hebrew of the Hebrews - pride of birth - no mixed blood or race

*A Pharisee - pride of religious status

And the list goes on. They were once gains - beneficial and profitable to him, but now that Christ was holding sway over his life, they were no longer valuable. The Greek word for 'gain' appears in the plural form, meaning that a lot of things were gain to him. Interestingly, the Greek word for 'loss' appears in the singular, meaning that he lost all the gains at one time. He dumped all of them at the refuse bin. They were worthless when compared to Christ. They had lost weight in his life. They were no longer grounds for pride. Imagine all the gains lost at once. He wasn't throwing them away one after the other as he advanced in his faith, but he gathered all of them at one time and discarded them. In fact, the word 'loss' in the Greek suggests damage or that which is detrimental to one's life. Faith in fleshly gains is detrimental and damaging to our faith-walk with Christ. These gains are only good for the flesh, but detrimental to our spirit. They are no longer profitable for anything.

We must begin to deemphasize the physical, social and material glories, and reemphasize the preeminence of Christ. Christ is greater gain than all the gains of the flesh put together. O the surpassing gain of knowing Christ and living for him! Yes, "to live is Christ and to die is gain."

Let's prioritize Christ in our lives. Christ outweighs all fleshly glories. Christ is incomparable and unbeatable. Jim Elliot says "he is no fool who gives up what he can't keep to gain what he can't lose."

Let's be aware of the fact that the flesh always gets in the way of the spirit, and we must constantly refuse to let the flesh win. Even, knowing Christ in the flesh gives no one an advantage over another person. Paul says, "Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more" (2Cor.5:16). The anointing does not rest on anything belonging to the flesh. All genuine anointing flows from Christ. John says, "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things" (1Jh.2:20). Christ is the Holy One, and the Spirit's unction flows through Him. We are not anointed for our certificates and titles. No, not at all! The oil of the Spirit doesn't rest on the flesh or fleshly things. The things of the flesh lead to carnal pride, and if allowed, they hinder the flow of the Spirit in our lives. Let's stop parading the flesh and the display of ego. Christ is our sole pride.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter