Title Paul's Pride/Philippians 3:4-16
Entering the content:
Before being transported to Rome, Paul stands before King Agrippa, and at the end of his conversation with the king, he says the following:
"(Acts 26:29) Paul said, "I speak little, but many, but I pray to God that you and all who listen to you today will be like me, except in these bounds."
Why does Paul, the prisoner's body, believe that he is happier than the king? He didn't have a family, and he wasn't wealthy either. And he is a person who has thrown away all his hobbies such as academics and art as well. Instead, he devoted his life to preaching the gospel, but what was such a happy life? Yet Paul speaks as if he had a happier life than a king. Why?
Looking at Paul's life, we can see that it is not a life without pride.
He boasted that he was of hallebah in eight days, revealing that he was of pure Jewish descent. And he is the descendant of Jacob, the lineage of Abraham's son Isaac, and the tribe of Benjamin. And he was a Pharisee who kept the law thoroughly, was a student of Gamaliel as a scholar who studied science deeply, and was a rare Jew with Roman citizenship. This is a man of knowledge who is not envious of this, but he does not boast about it, but considers these 'excrement' (verse 8).
These things Paul has are the things that are considered the best value for us living today. But Paul boldly forsook these things. Because Paul discovered something more precious and new than all these things. It is 'Jesus' whom he persecuted because he hated it. However, because of Jesus he met on the road to Damascus, he was able to boldly forsake all of his former pride.
Paul discovered a precious truth in Jesus. “(Philippians 3:9) To be found in him, which I have not righteousness from the law, but through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God through faith.” In other words, Paul discovered the perfect righteousness that comes through faith through Christ. He discovered that man's works and achievements do not make man perfect, but that perfection can be achieved only by dwelling in Jesus Christ, the object of persecution. So, in Christ Jesus, we live a life of chasing in order to receive the reward of God's high calling. Before getting to know Jesus, Paul boasted about the things of the flesh, but after meeting Jesus, the problem of the soul was solved through a change of mind, and he found true pride in Jesus.
Guys, what are you proud of? Take a look at yourself. Our self-assessment as a worldly standard of value is easily eroded. I hope that you will gain the confidence of faith like Paul did while you are struggling with this problem.