It's Time To "Lay Down the Law" - Part 19

At this point Paul is in prison. He writes a letter of encouragement to the Philippians and gives notice of two people he is sending to speak with them, Timothy and Epaphroditus.

Php 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.
Php 3:2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;
Php 3:3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,
Php 3:4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:
Php 3:5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;
Php 3:6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.

[Note: Many times Sha'ul has to remind people of his heritage. Paul is frequently blamed for speaking against Torah (the Law), even up to these modern times. Nowadays there are groups of "Christians" out there who completely ignore Paul and his teachings and refer to him as an anti-"Apostle" or an anti-Disciple. Churchy folk even misuse these verses to say Paul is speaking against circumcision again. None of this is true. Paul is simply referencing the truth we have seen already. The truth that no act of obedience gives one Salvation. No obeying of rules can somehow qualify one with Salvation. It is a free gift which has simply to be accepted. Physical circumcision is not a qualifier, it is an act of love and obedience which is a result of ones Salvation. Many times I have quoted biblical text to believers who simply say; "Well, that's not what I believe!". If you will not believe in Moses and the Prophets then you will not believe in One who rises from the dead!]

Php 3:7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Php 3:8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
Php 3:9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,
Php 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;
Php 3:11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

[Note: Paul once again confirms that FAITH is the basis of our righteousness! "Righteousness", or "right-standing-in-Torah" can only be done if FAITH is present! Righteousness is a RESULT of our FAITH, not our human effort. Righteousness is an indication of a circumcised heart. The heart of stone has been replaced by a heart of flesh. Simply put folks, if you still have enmity against Torah you have a heart of stone and you still need a spiritual circumcision. You see, the Church tells us its either Salvation through Faith OR you believe in Salvation through Torah. Wrong! It is Salvation through Faith so one may do Torah and walk as Yeshua walked!

Please notice also; Paul mentions the Resurrection of the Dead. When does this happen? Paul tells us in a different place:

1Th 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep (dead), so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.
1Th 4:15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
1Th 4:17 Then (afterwards) we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

And what does most of the Church teach? They teach that dear-departed Mom is walking around in Heaven with Jesus right now! What is the purpose of His Second Coming (which this text refers to) if a Resurrection of the dead person has already happened? Is Sha'ul lying to us here?

It all boils down to this; do you believe in Man of God?]

The Observer