Philippians 3;1 says, Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.  Paul asked that the Christians rejoice in the Lord.  He said that to write what he had to them was not grievous to him, and that for them it was safe.  The world that Paul lived in was not safe for Christians, just as it is not safe in many parts of the world for Christians today, but Paul still called for them to rejoice.  Verse two declares, Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.  Paul was not speaking of literal dogs, but of those who were false teachers, professing to be Christians without really having a relationship with Christ.  He continued to warn them to beware of evil workers and those who sowed contention.  We today as followers of Christ need to be the same way.  There are many people who profess to be Christians who do not really have a personal relationship with Christ, and they often proclaim what they believe to be the gospel.  We must know what God's word says in order to keep from being led astray.  Verse three adds, For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.  Paul said that the real people of God were those who put their faith in Jesus Christ and not in physical acts.  Circumcision was a physical sign of being a part of God's people, but it had to be more than a physical act for it to have meaning.  Paul said that those who put their faith in Christ, and not just physical facts, were the truly circumcised, or people of God.  Verse four declares, Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:  Paul then said if any person could have faith in the flesh, he could.  Verse five adds, Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;  Then verse six concludes, Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.  Paul had all the credentials that a Jew could have.  We may have all the earthly credentials that a person can have today to be viewed as a Christian, but if we don't have a personal relationship with Christ, it doesn't matter.  Verse seven states, But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  All our earthly credentials should be counted but loss for Christ, just as Paul said his were.