A SURPASSING WORTH

Philippians 3:1-11 / Keywords 3:9

and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ— the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

 

3:1 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence.

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Footnotes

Philippians 3:9 Or through the faithfulness of

1. Paul warned the Philippians against those who put their confidence in their flesh and deeds. He used to be like them. Paul had many reasons to be proud of himself and his accomplishments. He was driven on his way into greater honor and glory in the political and religious establishment. Jesus met Paul in the midst of his passionate pursuit and blinded Paul so that his eyes may be truly opened to see what he was doing. Instead of judgment, Paul experienced God’s grace and an all-surpassing worth from knowing Christ. Upon his spiritual awakening, everything he previously accomplished became to him like garbage. He could never go back to his previous life and honors.

 

2. Paul had found in Christ a righteousness that was from God, received by faith, not by works. This realization changed his world-view from one of passionately trying to earn more worth, to passionately living, knowing that his worth and acceptance were already found in Christ. This new life was full of joy. Paul's fervor to know Christ continued to grow so that, even in suffering, he could experience Christ's grace and power more.

 

Prayer Lord, there are a lot of bad habits that I want to unlearn and be free of. Help me to live a life of joy in the faith of your unlimited grace and righteousness, and even in suffering, to know you more.

One Word Lose all to gain Christ