BEWARE!

“Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation” (Phil. 3:2 NKJV).

When the Bible tells us three times in one verse to “beware,” we need to sit up and take notice; we need to take extra care when warned. Our verse warns us to beware of dogs, evil workers, and the mutilation.

Beware of dogs – “Dogs” in Bible times were not the nice, cuddly, faithful pets that we are familiar with. Rather, “dogs” in Bible times were mostly vicious, untamed, and detestable animals. Further, the word “dogs” was used symbolically to describe men who were unholy, profane, disrespectful, immoral, mean, and cruel. And so, “beware” here means to watch out and stay away from such individuals. We are not to associate them since their company will prove disastrous to one’s character. Making friends with these individuals will defile and pollute our lives and corrupt our morals.

Beware of evil workers - While some folks may not see a whole lot of difference between “evil workers” and “dogs,” it will help to know that the term “evil workers” carries with it here the idea of deceitfulness. These “evil workers” are the kind who say one thing but do another. They are shrewd, crafty and fast-talking. Believers need to “beware” of these kinds of persons and stay away from them; they will bring ruin and disgrace to our lives.

Beware of the mutilation (concision) - To mutilate means to cut in pieces and is a play on the word circumcision. Here the apostle Paul is contrasting the “self-mutilators” of the flesh with the true circumcision of the heart in warning the Philippians of the Judaizers. He used this specialized term to indicate the error of the Judaizers, and the ridiculous nature of their demands of attaching some of the law to salvation. The idea here is to beware of those who would add anything to salvation other than faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We need to beware of folks who try to mutilate the Gospel message by adding the works of man to the grace of God.

(Adapted from Butler’s Daily Bible Reading 3)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“To attempt to pay for salvation with church membership, prayers, or good deeds is an insult to Christ, who paid the full price, and is a rejection of the gift of God’s grace!”

David Charles Haddon Hunt (1926 – 2013)

American Christian Apologist, Commentator and Author

Word Study

Fit

In Luke 9:62 we read, “But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (NKJV).

“Fit” is the Greek word eúthetos (εὔθετος = yoo'-thet-os). It is made up of two words: “eu” which means well or good, and “tithemi” which means to place. Literally, the word means well-placed, well-situated, suited for, adapted to, convenient and so ready for use. It has always been the ambition of the plowman to plow in a straight line. In order to do so, he must look straight forward; he must look to the things which are in front. Looking back would mean not being able to plow in a straight line. In context, the Lord Jesus is stating the sacrifice and commitment required to become His disciple - it is total dedication, not half-hearted commitment. Being a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ means not “looking back” to our old life, old friends, and old habits. We must count the cost and be willing to abandon, make a complete break with all loyalties that hinder our relationship with Him. Nothing should distract us from our service for the kingdom of the Lord. Indeed, the Lord and His work should be priority one in our lives. This is a lesson that many believers need to learn today.

Did You Know…

Jonathan was almost killed by his father king Saul because he violated the decree of fasting by eating honey during the fast (1 Sam. 14:43).

Bible Quiz

What did Moses tell the Israelites to tie on their hands and foreheads?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz

To what does the apostle Peter compare new believers? “Newborn babes” (1 Peter 2:2).

Prophecies Fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ

The Lord Jesus – “The Good Shepherd” (Psalm 23:1; cf. John 10:11)

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want!” (Psalm 23:1 NJKV).

This is the Psalm of the Good Shepherd who cares for His sheep. David knows the perfect character of the One to Whom he is entrusting himself for his every need. He knew that the lot of any sheep depended on the love of his master. And David had come to know his Shepherd personally. Note also that David does not say, the Lord might be my shepherd or that the Lord is a shepherd, but that “The Lord is my shepherd.” This means that the Lord was his provider, and his protector. And because God was David’s shepherd, he lacked nothing. We too, needed a “Shepherd” as our Savior to rule, guide, provide and protect us or else we perish. The Lord Jesus Christ is that Shepherd. In John 10:11, we hear the Lord Jesus saying this about Himself, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (cf. John 10:14). In other words, the Lord Jesus Christ is all that we will ever need, for this life and the life to come.

Did You Know – Christian History

Frances Ridley Havergal was born December 14, 1836, in Astley, Worcestershire, England. She was an English religious poet and hymn writer.

Frances was the youngest child of a Church of England minister. Her father, William Henry Havergal, was an author, composer, hymn-writer, and Frances inherited his artistic gifts. Her brother, Henry East Havergal, was a priest in the Church of England and an organist. In 1852 she studied in the Louisenschule, Düsseldorf, and at Oberkassel. Though she was always in frail health, she led an active life, encouraging many people to turn to Jesus and others to seek a deeper spiritual walk.

Frances had begun reading and memorizing the Bible at the age of four (eventually memorizing The Psalms, Isaiah and most of the New Testament). At seven she wrote her first poems. Several of her mature verses became hymns. On February 4, 1874, Havergal composed her famous consecration hymn “Take My Life and Let It Be.” This hymn, often called the Consecration Hymn, expresses a complete surrender of all aspects of life - time, talents, possessions, and even personal identity - to the Lord.

In addition to “Take My Life,” she wrote such favorites as “I Gave My Life for Thee,” “Like a River Glorious,” and “Who Is on the Lord's Side?” Because her voice was lovely, Havergal was in demand as a concert soloist. She also was a brilliant pianist and learned several modern languages as well as Greek and Hebrew. With all her education, however, Havergal maintained a simple faith and confidence in her Lord. She never wrote a line of poetry without praying over it. One of the most dedicated Christian women of the 19^th Century, Havergal also wrote hymn melodies, religious tracts, and works for children. In frail health for much of her life, Havergal died of peritonitis near Caswell Bay on the Gower Peninsula in Wales on June 3, 1879, at age 42.

A Little Humor

How does the Easter Lamb celebrate victory? The Lord Jesus, the Lamb of God, defeated sin and death without a single “baa-d” move, proving sacrifice leads to resurrection, not just springtime wool.

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“We use Duct Tape to fix everything… God used nails!”