3 November 2022

Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.

From Philippians 3:3-8, NRSV

At the beginning of this reading, we hear Paul speaking out very strongly against those who continued to support circumcision. Some had even questioned Paul’s right to call himself a Jew because of his views on this subject. Paul’s response to this is to assert his entitlement to be called a Jew by listing all his credentials – an impressive list that few would have been able to match. However, Paul makes it clear that all of his past privileges count as nothing compared to knowing Christ. For Paul, there was no further need for the old Law now that it had been fulfilled in Christ.

• • Why do you think that some Jews found it hard to commit fully to following Christ?
  • What are the sacrifices you are called to make for the sake of your faith?

Give thanks for the gift of faith and pray for those who struggle to believe and for those whose faith is tested by the challenges of life.