Philippians 3:5. “Circumcised the eight day. of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, and Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;” DEEP ROOTS. It started with Abraham; a separation to God A covenant known only to the two persons involved John the Baptist and Jesus, now the apostle Paul Forever reminded of Him who them called.
Born into Jewish privilege, of that there’s no doubt Not a proselyte but a Benjaminite with a deep root The nation’s first king was one; he was a shoot Even Jerusalem itself was on Benjamin’s route.
In language and culture, lifestyle and attitude His background was deeply impressed on his mind Even in religion as a Pharisee, he proved His pedigree; his roots were as deep as you’d find.
No matter how deeply rooted a person might be In the kingdom of God, there’s a need deeper still Genuine faith in Christ others can’t see But the results of that faith have a message to tell.
Known to God and worked out through living The roots in God’s kingdom start out at new birth All of one’s assets, one’s labor, one’s giving When done for God’s glory establishes their worth.
Our roots are in God now, heritage is shallow The roots that bring life and its results to full fruit Are deeply implanted in a life that’s eternal Life-flowing nectar flows through an in-grafted shoot.
Though from a family of faith I still have the choice Of letting God’s grace through me to others flow I appreciate my family roots, but I’ll give my voice To the roots deep in God, and from Him I can grow.
“I thank Thee Father, for my forbearers who had a real sense of God in their lives. I saw their example and learned that I needed Thee and Thee alone for divine life. I thank Thee now for eternal life, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
The false teachers were examples of people we should avoid. The apostle Paul was an example to follow. He had all the credentials the false teachers said were necessary for salvation and righteousness before God. He was Jewish and could trace his ancestry back to Benjamin, so he could boast in his pedigree if he wanted to. He was steeped in the self-righteous tradition of the Hebrews and as a Pharisee was above the rank and file as to religious testimony. As far as the law was concerned, he would have been considered a perfect man outwardly. But all that tradition was worthless as far are true righteousness before God.