Deep Roots. Philippians 3:5-6. “Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, and Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;” Paul could boast of his religious background as a Hebrew just as much as any Jew. He knew his heritage, and he went further than most Jews by becoming a Pharisee. As a Pharisee, he surpassed many by enthusiastically persecuting Christians and the church of Christ, believing he was upholding God's law. People who knew him couldn’t find anything wrong with him.
When we share our personal testimony of how God saved us, it's appropriate to provide a brief background of our lives so that listeners can understand what we have been saved from. They will also be able to see how the Holy Spirit moves in people's lives, hearts, and consciences, helping them recognize their need for the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Each person comes from a different background and mindset, and the Spirit of God is capable of guiding us into the truth of God and revealing Christ to us in a way that is most fitting for each individual.
Family heritage can have a strong positive influence in leading some people to the Lord. For others, it might be the opposite. Ultimately, the Holy Spirit's conviction will lead us to personally confront ourselves as guilty sinners before God, regardless of our background. Whether someone has lived a strictly religious life or a sinful, rebellious life in open sin and awareness of it, they will be brought to a point where they must humble themselves and repent before God. At that moment, the Holy Spirit reveals Christ as one’s personal Savior. The move from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God occurs when each individual personally puts their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The traditions of our ancestors may have been rich, and we may have come from a Christ-exalting family, or they might have been completely unfamiliar with Christianity. However, salvation is personal to each individual, received by grace and through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. When we reflect on God’s grace in saving us, we are moved to thankfulness and praise. Even since then, we can observe the ongoing blessings of God’s grace throughout our lives as members of the family of God.
With the apostle Paul, it all began with Abraham; his separation to God was based on a covenant made between the two parties. John the Baptist, Jesus, and now Paul were constantly reminded of Him who called them as a chosen people through whom blessing would flow to the entire world. Undoubtedly, being born into a Jewish family was a privilege unique to the “seed of Abraham.” Paul was not a proselyte but a Benjaminite with deep roots in the Hebrew tradition. The nation’s first king was a Benjamite, and he came from the same tribal line. The city of Jerusalem was on the way to the tribal homeland assigned to the tribe of Benjamin.
In language, culture, lifestyle, and attitude, Paul’s background was deeply imprinted on his mind. Even in religion, as a devout Pharisee, he demonstrated that his pedigree was impeccable and his roots ran as deep as those of any Jewish man. But no matter how deeply rooted someone might be, there is still a more profound need in the kingdom of God. Others may not see genuine faith in Christ, but the results of that faith can be observed and convey a message through words and actions. Known to God and developed through living by faith in the Son of God, the roots in God’s kingdom begin at our new spiritual birth. All of one’s possessions, efforts, and offerings, when done for God’s glory, establish their true worth.
Our roots are now in God. Our human heritage is shallow when it comes to spiritual life. The roots that bring life and its fruits to fullness in a Christian's life are deeply planted in the eternal life that God provides. We have been given His life as a free gift. Divine, life-flowing nectar flows through an in-grafted shoot to produce fruit for God. Although I come from a family of faith, I still have the choice to let God’s grace flow through me to others or not. I value my family roots greatly, but I will entrust my voice and choice to the roots that are rooted deeply in God, from whom I can grow.
The false teachers served as examples of people to avoid. The apostle Paul was a model to follow. He possessed all the credentials that the false teachers claimed were necessary for salvation and righteousness before God. He was Jewish and could trace his lineage back to Benjamin, so he could boast about his heritage if he chose to. He was immersed in the self-righteous traditions of the Hebrews and, as a Pharisee, held a higher rank in religious testimony than most. According to the law, he would have been considered outwardly perfect. However, all that tradition was worthless when it came to true righteousness before God.