Argumentation and Debate - Philippians 3-4

 Philippians 3:4-7 (ESV)

though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

When we are in a courageous conversation and we turn to our accomplishments to prove our point, we have already lost the influence of the conversation.   That is Paul’s point in the above passage.  He is faced with some false teachers that have found their way into the church at Philippi.   The Philippians were a church that constantly supplied and maintained Paul in ministry.  Note:

Philippians 4:14-16 (ESV)

Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.

Paul did not have to qualify himself but he does.  He admits that by doing so he is not really helping the cause.  He admits that was is gained to him is loss for Christ.   The situation he was in was compounded by false teachers who were appealing to their bona fides to augment their argument.  They thought if they could toss out their qualifications it would solicit loyalty from the church members at Philippi.  So, Paul joined them in laying out his credentials.  Not to really prove he was more qualified than them (though he was).  But, he did it to show them that such talk is useless regarding the Gospel of Christ.  Our “works” do not benefit in such moments.  It is “God’s work in us” that benefits in these moments.   Man-made and man-produced resumes do nothing to win a discussion about the truth of the Gospel.  That is Paul’s point.  He is saying, “I can throw down my accomplishments as well, but how ludicrous is that!”   Be careful that in your next argument, discussion, debate or conversation you start to appeal to who you are to prove you point vs what God has done in you!!   Join Paul in saying:

Philippians 3:8 (ESV)

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.