Christ and Christ Alone (Philippians 3:1-9; WLC 70)
In Philippians 3, Paul warns the church in Philippi to be on guard against false teaching and against the temptation to place their confidence in the flesh. The Philippians were a faithful and commendable church, yet Paul knew that even a strong congregation needed to be reminded of the danger of trusting in anything other than Christ. False teachers were adding confidence in heritage, circumcision, and obedience to the gospel, turning people away from the sufficiency of Christ.
Paul had every reason to place his confidence in his own credentials. He was circumcised according to the law, an Israelite from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, a Pharisee, zealous, and outwardly blameless in regard to the law. Yet he came to recognize that all of these things were worthless as a basis for his righteousness before God. Compared with the surpassing value of knowing Christ, Paul counted them all as loss.
The Christian's confidence is therefore not found in what we have done, but in what Christ has done for us. We are found in Christ through faith, receiving a righteousness that comes from God rather than one we could produce ourselves. Christ alone is our greatest treasure, and his righteousness is sufficient. Paul calls us to rejoice in Christ, boast in Christ, and place our confidence in Christ rather than in our own works, accomplishments, or religious credentials.