The apostle Paul is good with words. And he is good at logical arguments. Philippians 3 is an example of that. His logic, time and again, drives home rich, rich, rich, spiritual truths.
The section in Philippians 3 that lists all his former accomplishments is impressive (verse 4-6). He had a life of prestige. He was born into it. He was raised in it. And then the last three in his list, says that he also earned it by his own focus and hard work. He was one of the POWERFUL men in Israel.
He would have been HIGHLY admired by any Jew. He was a Pharisee and the son of a Pharisee and trained under a famous Pharisee. He had kept the outward form of the Old Testament law perfectly. And he had such drive and zeal and commitment that he HIGHLY persecuted Christians.
He was a rare man. And was an elite. He was a superstar. He was powerful!
But at his conversion on the Damascus road he met Jesus and discovered that all the work and fame and prestige was worthless and pointless compared to knowing Christ.
Here’s the punch in the gut… It is very human to want power and prestige and notoriety. But Paul would say those three things are the very things that push us away from God. A lot of humility and a deep, sweet knowledge of Jesus is what Paul would say makes a healthy soul.
The Men's Bible Reading Idea 