Scripture:
Be careful of those who do evil. They are like dogs. They demand to cut the body.
- Philippians 3:2
Reflect:
Are
there “dogs” in our day? Why should we be so concerned about them?
In
our society today, dogs are generally thought of as beloved pets. They even get
referred to as “man’s best friend.” And in many homes dogs are treated like
family members.
These
are not the type of dog that Paul is referring to in today’s verses. Paul is
likely referring to a wild dog that lived on the streets scavenging dead
bodies. Not only were these dogs aggressive and potentially violent but they
were also carriers of nasty infections. They were unclean and problematic thus
they were generally hated. These dogs were pests, not pets.
In
today’s verse, Paul is comparing false teachers, specifically the Judaizers, to
these mangy animals. The Judaizers taught that saving faith was not sufficient
for salvation. They mixed the law with grace and said that Gentiles must become
Jews before they can convert to Christianity. They argued that it was necessary
for Gentiles to practice circumcision.
That’s why he says to watch out for those who “mutilate the flesh.”
Circumcision does not secure anyone’s salvation.
Paul
doesn’t mince his words here. He calls them evildoers for spreading this false
doctrine. His point is that these false teachers weren’t merely an annoyance.
They were dangerous!
Even
today, we have dirty dogs among us. We have false teachers who preach legalism
just as the Judaizers did in Paul’s day. They may not be claiming that you have
to get circumcised to be saved or convert to Judaism, but the heart of their
message is still the same. They are implying that what Jesus did on the cross
was not sufficient. They are claiming that you have to add works to His grace
in order for it to be effective. This doctrine is dangerous because people’s
souls are on the line!
Maybe
someone has told you that you have to get baptized in order to be saved. Or
that you have to tithe a certain amount each month. Maybe you’ve been told you
must go to church or take a mission trip. Perhaps someone has preached that
dietary restrictions are necessary. But we know from Ephesians 2:8-9 that we
are saved by grace, through faith and not by works. Salvation is a gift from
God. We accept His grace, and we are saved. Our good works and obedience are
the result of a transformed life. We seek to please God with our actions
because we love Him, not because we are trying to earn our salvation.
Whenever
you hear “grace plus works” preached, run away! Avoid this message like you
would avoid a dirty dog in the street. Legalism does not save you and it has
the potential to do much harm. It can cause a nasty infection in your faith and
sadly, it is contagious. It can be passed to those around you. So be on the
lookout for false teachers. Read the Word of God daily to inoculate you against
the diseases of false doctrine. And instead of spreading filth, spread the
truth! Share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those around you.
Prayer:
Lord,
thank You for the free gift of salvation through Jesus. Please grant me the
wisdom and discernment to be able to recognize the dogs who are spreading false
teaching so I can avoid them. Give me the courage to spread the truth of Your
Word instead. Amen.
-
Nat Crawford (Provided by "Back To The Bible")
