PHILIPPIANS: Cast Away these Traditions of Men, and "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!"

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. (Philippians 3:1)

God writes through Paul to the Philippian church to be careful of who they allow themselves to follow after and believe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation [making non-Jews get circumcised]! ... For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame — who set their mind on earthly things. (Philippians 3:2, 18-19)

There are many people who will try to say "you have to do this" or "you have to do that" to prove you are saved. Jesus taught that that was not how we have a relationship with God. He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. [Isaiah 29:13]' For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men —..., and many other such things you do.” He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. (Mark 7:6-9); Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2:8)

Righteousness does not come by obeying "traditions of men", but it comes through faith in Christ Jesus; and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; (Philippians 3:9) All the "things" we thought we had to do to please God was worth nothing, if we didn't have faith in Christ. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.  Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:7-8)

For many of us its very hard to let go of "traditions", but if those things aren't required by God, we don't need to hold on to them.  Yes, the children of Isreal were given many laws and commandments to follow because God wanted them to be an example among the other nations, demonstrating his power through them (Deuteronomy 26:16-19).  Paul explained his own upbringing as a Jew to make this point. For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. (Philippians 3:3-6)

But the problem with the Jews, and even Paul until his conversion was they believed the things they were doing was how to attain righteousness, and not obeying God and believing in His Son (Romans 2:17-29). We must profess, just as Paul finally came to realize, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:10-14)

We as believers in Christ Jesus should have unity through His Spirit and confirmation through the Word of God.  Even if we have disagreements, we should be able to resolve them peaceably. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.  Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.  Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. (Philippians 3:15-17) Our goal should not be to please men, but to please God. “We ought to obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29); while endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3)

We can not allow anyone or anything in this world to keep up from staying the course, and attaining our eternal destiny, through Christ Jesus; therefore, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ... For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,  who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. (Philippians 3:14. 20-21) AMEN!