Paul’s salvation brought him great joy and he wanted the Philippians to know this as well (v1). What was in danger of robbing them of their joy, was slipping back into beliefs, about salvation through human effort (v2).

The physical circumcision that the Bible speaks of, points to the needed inward circumcision of the heart (v3). Paul teaches that it is this inward transformation, that brings someone into a right relationship with God and not the performance of religious duty (v4-6).

Paul shares how he moved from being a religious man into a true believer, by entering into a saving relationship with Christ (v7-9). We can see in Paul’s words something of the great joy he experienced in knowing Christ.

Salvation is not something that happens once, and then the believer just sits on what he has received. Salvation is just the beginning, as it brings the sinner into a living relationship with Christ, in which they go deeper in their fellowship with Christ (v10-11).

Salvation is by grace alone, it is a work of Christ completely. But grace empowers and inspires the believer to advance in a life of holiness and service (v12-21). The believer always needs to be pressing forward. Are you?