before, & now

Paul by his own account was a super religious person. 

But when he encountered Jesus & realized what Jesus was all about, Paul realized all that religiosity was useless.

Hmmm... maybe we should think about that...?

Philippians 3 

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. 

8 Yes, everything else is worthless 

when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. 

For his sake I have discarded everything else, 

counting it all as garbage, 

so that I could gain Christ 

9 and become one with him. 

I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; 

rather, 

I become righteous through faith in Christ. 

For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 

10 I want to know Christ 

and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead.