PHILIPPIANS 3

RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST ALONE

Recalling his past experiences as a Jewish religious leader, Paul states that he had a false confidence in his religiosity. Although he was circumcised, he does not have confidence in his flesh, but instead in his faith. Paul had the status and leadership within the religious practice, but without faith in Jesus, he saw it all as worthless. Instead of a gain, Paul views these formalities as a loss and sees them all as filth in comparison to knowing Jesus. Instead of finding righteousness from keeping the law, Paul trusts that his righteousness comes through his faith in Jesus alone.

Wanting to experience the power of the resurrection, Paul desires to share in the sufferings of Jesus and become like Him even in his death. Through the death of his sins, accomplished on the cross by the sacrifice of Jesus, Paul will experience resurrection himself and experience eternal life.

Paul presses on in faithfulness, seeing holiness as the goal and Jesus as the prize. Confident in his eternity, Paul states that the citizenship of believers is heaven, and all followers of Jesus are awaiting God’s establishment of heaven on earth. Not only will the earth be redeemed, but God’s people will be given new, glorious bodies.