“Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Rejoice! A safeguard! Watch out! A warning!

Despite the fact that he had no reason to rebuke or correct this little congregation at Philippi,  Paul knew that they were always in the path of spiritual danger. What was their protection?

As always, Paul reminded them…and he saw no boring repetition in doing so…that their protection lay in what they kept in mind. What did they think about…in their everyday activities…in their interaction with unbelievers in the world…in the tests and trials that lay in their path? 

First…rejoice in the Lord! Keep the Lord Jesus in the front of your minds…not your struggles…not your circumstances…not the suspicion or the hostility of your neighbour…

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul knew that it was not easy to be “heavenly-minded” when life was rough and tough, but he also knew that their life in Jesus was real…and that it was the guarantee that there was nothing powerful or dangerous that could harm them…that could get between them and God’s love for them, demonstrated in the cross. To rejoice and remain in the love of Jesus was their safeguard against buckling under the weight of their struggles. 

So, rejoicing in Jesus, even in their darkest moments, would keep them facing right way and steady on course when they felt shaky or alone. They needed this constant reminder. Stuff happened, sometimes suddenly and unexpectedly. If their minds were conditioned to rejoice in the Lord, they would be ready to face whatever came their way without flinching. 

Second…a warning… and Paul was blunt in his contempt for the people who tried to derail these people. He called them “dogs”, “evil doers”, “mutilators of the flesh”! This was not polite language! This was what they were…not family pets…or spiritually mature believers…or even faithful Jews who honoured God’s law. 

Paul recognised the danger these Judaisers posed to the followers of Jesus. As innocent as their teaching appeared to be…keep the law of God, get circumcised, because you need to, to be saved, the real issue was…you must add circumcision to what Jesus did on the cross to make His death effective…Jesus plus something you do!

Any simple thing, any effort on our part, to complete Jesus’ atoning sacrifice, makes Him a liar, and cancels everything He did to reconcile us to the Father. He said, “It is finished!” The Judaisers said, ”It isn’t…not without circumcision.” Someone was lying…and it wasn’t Jesus!

This simple prescription, if we really take it to heart and put it into practice, is the godly wisdom that will be the buffer between us and spiritual shipwreck. Rejoice and stay alert. Stick with Jesus through thick and thin…and don’t fall for the nonsense that adds anything to Him. He is absolutely, altogether, and always enough. 

To be continued