3 Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.
2 Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. 3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, 4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!
5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.
7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.
Philippians 3:1-7
Dear God, what struck me about this passage this morning was Paul’s references to self-righteousness and judgment of others. There’s been a lot of that going around lately, and with the election results this week, it’s happening all over again. How do we all get ourselves to verse 7? “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.”
I get very tempted to put my hope in a political party, government, or even a candidate/politician. I want to look to them to wield some power and do the thing I think should be done. But it’s all folly. They will fail me. If I were them, I would fail my constituents. They will make some mistakes. They will have policies I don’t like. In fact, it feels like my only criteria when selecting a candidate is the one I disagree with less. And that can include disagreeing with their moral character as much as their policies.
Father, help me to shun these temptations of idol worship, and help me to help others shun this temptation as well. Regardless of how we feel about the election results, there is work to do. Today. Tomorrow. Next week. Next month. Next year. I have a God to worship. I have neighbors to love. I have a vocation you’ve called me to. Help me to do them all well and as unto you. For your glory, oh Lord. For your glory.
I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,
Amen
