Page 14 - February 2025 - Truth & Tidings

t would be a challenging question for in the Jewish Law.
any believer in Christ to be asked, We would appreciate the privilege
I“What would I be prepared to give up to grow up in countries where there is
in my life for the excellency of the knowl- freedom for the gospel of Christ to be
edge of Christ Jesus my Lord?” Philip- preached publicly, liberty for Christians to
pians 3:4-8 is the apostle Paul’s answer to gather and the Word of God to be taught
that question, causing us to look to Christ unhindered. Likewise, it is a tremendous
as our assured recompense, and see Him privilege if we have been raised in a God-
as the One for whom it is worth losing fearing Christian family and heard the
everything else there is in this world, in Word of God taught from earliest days.
order that we might win Christ, through But ultimately, as members of the Church,
an increasing knowledge of Himself. there should be no national superiorities,
no ancestral or family-related advantages
Saul of Tarsus After the Flesh or disadvantages. All local assembly
In verses 4-6, Paul speaks about himself matters should be judged with complete
before conversion as the prime example impartiality. In the Church, “ye are all one
of one who did place confidence in what in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28). 1
he was in the flesh and in all his human The further three statements in verses
attainments. If it were possible for the 5-6 about Saul’s life before his conversion
religious flesh to produce something were things he attained by personal
acceptable to God, then Saul of Tarsus had ambition, for which he could claim
more to boast in than anyone else in the personal credit. He had attained the rank
world of Judaism. of a Pharisee and scrupulously kept all
The first four things listed in verse 5 the demands and man-made traditions
were all inherited advantages – what of that position. Yet, that pharisaic zeal
Saul of Tarsus was by reason of his birth made him a murderous persecutor of
and family privilege. He had ceremonial Christians, clearly demonstrating that
advantage over any proselytes to Judaism; while he appeared “blameless” as to all
he was “circumcised the eighth day.” external appearances and ceremonial
He was of pure Jewish ancestry, and aspects of law-keeping, he was inwardly
nationally, “of the stock of Israel.” His a wicked sinner. He always knew that “in
ancestral advantage linked him with my flesh, dwelleth no good thing” (Rom
the loyal “tribe of Benjamin” that stayed 7:18). The religious flesh in Saul made
with Judah and the line of David when him a ferocious enemy of those who were
most precious to God and the Lord Jesus
the kingdom was divided. His parental – “who was before a blasphemer, and a
advantage as “an Hebrew of Hebrews”
meant he was nurtured from birth in the 1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV
Hebrew language and educated perfectly unless otherwise noted.

46 TRUTH kTidings February 2025