OBSERVATIONS:
I asked myself what were the Philippians asked to do?
1. Watch out for those dogs.
2. Watch out for those men who do evil.
3. Watch out for those mutilators of the flesh.

INTERPRETATION:
I asked myself why Paul would say to 'watch out for those dogs'?
In the context of the passage, he is definitely not talking about domestic animals. Yet, he uses dogs in his language. What came to my mind is the sign “Beware of the dog/s” that people have near their houses.  They have the sign because the dogs can attack people if they see them. Once they attack, they can severely injure the victim. It is possible that the victim can die too because of the attack of the dog. The victim can be severely mutilated too because of the attack.

When I thought about Paul’s warning in that context, it occurred to me that Paul is warning the Philippians of those people who would attack them with all kinds of heretical and dangerous theology that is not even Scriptural. If they put themselves in that position, it is very well possible that they could be severely injured spiritually to the point of spiritual death. Paul wants them to be very cautious if he is going to use a metaphor like that. Attacking a person spiritually can be evil if it is done in a manipulative and heretical way.

I asked myself why would Paul say, that there are those men that do evil?
I believe the evil lies in the theology that they try to get across to the people to kill spiritually.  Paul wants them to be aware of that to the point that he mentions there are those that are mutilators of the flesh.

I asked myself what does Paul mean by mutilators of the flesh?
What came to my mind is circumcision. It appears Paul is telling the Philippians to beware of those who are putting an emphasis on physical circumcision to be right with God. I thought about that because in the next verses Paul writes to the Philippians:

“For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh-- though I myself have reasons for such confidence.” (Philippians 3:3-4)

OBSERVATION/INTERPRETATION:

I asked myself how is it that we are the circumcision?
Paul is letting the Philippians know that they are the true circumcision, not because they have a physical circumcision but because of a Spiritual circumcision in their lives. He gives them evidence to know how they are the circumcision regardless of what others were proclaiming by stating 3 important points: 

1. We who worship by the Spirit of God
2. We who glory in Christ Jesus
3. We who put no confidence in the flesh

I asked myself the significance of Paul mentioning 'we who are the circumcision?'
What came to my mind is that a person being physically circumcised will not make them right with God unless they are spiritually circumcised in Christ Jesus. Paul wanted the Philippians to beware of those who were putting all the emphasis on law over grace. Paul does not want the emphasis to be on what human beings can do to save themselves.

I asked myself the significance of the three examples?
It won’t matter how many times people worship if their worship is not done with the Spirit of God residing in them. For that to happen, Paul reminds them that it is those who glory in Christ.  What came to my mind is those who live for Christ and have their excitement in Christ. It is those who put their emphasis on Jesus to help them in their walk of life and not being confident of what they accomplish in the flesh who will be spiritually circumcised and saved.

IMPLICATIONS:
I asked myself what are the implications for my own life?
I realized how important it is for me to have a right theology and correct interpretation when it comes to Scripture. That means, first and foremost, I need to believe 'The Bible is the Word of God', not 'Bible becomes the Word of God' or 'Bible contains the Word of God'. These are very three different ways of viewing Scripture. 

When I believe wholeheartedly,  "The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, TLB),  I don't pick and choose what I want to believe from the Bible and what I don't. I will believe everything God tells me from Genesis to Revelation. I will have a desire to know what God's instruction manual has to say to me to live my life so I will read it cover to cover. I will remember B.I.B.L.E: 'Breathe In Bible, Live Eternally!' or as a song goes: 'Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth'. For that to happen, I need to believe it is the inspired, indestructible, infallible, inherent Word of God from Genesis to Revelation. So, I can fight off the so called dogs, those who do evil, and are the mutilators of the flesh. The first step is to believe the Bible is the Word of God and then to have a correct interpretation of the Scriptures. Our interpretation of Scripture has a huge difference in what we believe in and how we live our lives.

I ask you now dear friend, how is your T.H.E.L.O.G.Y in life?
Dear friend, your theology in your life will make a difference of how you live your life. If your theology is based on the inspired, indestructible, infallible, and inherent Word of God, then your outlook on life will be based on the 5 S's of the Reformation:

1. ‘Sola Scriptura’ - By Scripture Alone
2. ‘Sola Gratia’ - By Grace Alone
3. ‘Solo Christo’ - By Christ Alone
4. ‘Sola Fide’ - By Faith Alone
5. ‘Soli Deo Gloria’ - Glory To God Alone

This means we have no artificial flavors, additives, etc to add on to these 5 things. These 5 things are exclusive to have a right theology about God and when we truly search the Scriptures, we will find the Truth.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5, NIV)

"The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed he gave the right to become children of God children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:9-14, NIV)

Jesus said, “I AM the Light of the world.Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of Life.” (John 8:12, NIV)

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.” (John 8:31a-32, NIV)

Jesus answered,“I AM the Way, and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6, NIV)

Jesus said, "Sanctify them by the Truth; your Word is Truth. (John 17:17, NIV)

For the Scriptures tell us that bread won’t feed men’s souls: obedience to every word of God is what we need.” (Matt 4:4, NIV)

Jesus said, “You search the Scriptures for you believe they give you eternal life. And the Scriptures point to me! (John 5:39, NIV)

May you come to know Jesus, the Truth helps everyday offering Lord's omnipotent grace, yeah!

"Truth Helps Everyday, Offering Lord's Omnipotent Grace, Yeah!" (T.H.E.O.L.O.G.Y)/"How is your T.H.E.O.L.O.G.Y in life?"

PRAYER:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you want me to watch out for those who twist theology to fit their mold of thinking. Thank you for giving us your Word to live our lives. Help us to never stop believing your Word is the Word of God which is infallible, indestructible, inherent inspired by you for our living. Thank you Jesus when we breathe in Bible, live eternally. Help us to breathe your Word daily and take your Truth to life. For you are the Way, the Truth, and Life. Thank you so much Jesus. We need you everyday. Help Oh Lord for those who are struggling during this time of the COVID-19. Help them to see your grace in times of turmoil. Let the power of Your Word comfort them and the promises of your Word lift them up. Let your precious cleansing Blood cover over them. Thank you so much Jesus. Thank you Jesus that you have heard our prayers and answered us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!