“..For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh–though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also…But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith–”
–Philippians 3:1-9
This text is so rich from Paul. Paul had fervor…even before he met Christ. Fervor for the Lord doesn’t equal faith (remember Peter?). Paul had obedience…but to the law. He was very good at obeying the law…perfectly he writes. But, once he met Jesus…and grew in Him…he counted everything as loss…for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. Legalism quenches faith…the true faith that comes from knowing and believing Christ…the true righteousness that comes and depends only on that faith…
His steadfast LOVE is better than LIFE (Psalm 63:3)! And as I embrace His love…I learn to have TRUE faith…and as I learn this faith…He does the work of replacing my sin with His righteousness. I often contemplate my role in this process…my role is to learn from Him, to Know Him, to trust Him, to REST IN HIS IDENTITY, counting every victory in obedience as nothing compared to knowing Christ and gaining Him and being FOUND in Him.
This text is so rich…I cannot know the deep meaning it has for my heart…but I do know that His Word penetrates my heart and moves it and grows it in ways I cannot understand or anticipate. I do know that I love this verse 🙂 It is falling deeply upon my heart…and continues to speak to me each day.
Walking in Faith 