“I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.” (Philippians 3:9 NLT).
Paul told the Philippians that before he trusted Christ, he had worked to earn righteousness through obeying the law. But when he encountered Christ, he saw his attempts at righteousness as worthless in comparison to Christ’s infinite worth. He recognized that his own righteous acts produced by attempting to keep the law were as the prophet Isaiah said, “as filthy rags” (Isa. 64:6) compared to the righteousness of God. As a result, he stopped counting on his own law-keeping efforts and gladly received the righteousness from God that comes through faith in Christ Jesus.
The law was not given that we might earn righteousness, but that we might recognize the depth of our unrighteousness and our need for salvation. Yet Christ was given that we might receive the righteousness from God, which is not based on works, but on faith. Confessing Christ as Lord and trusting in Him for salvation, His righteousness is accounted unto us.
God’s way of making us right with Him is that we put our faith in Jesus Christ.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we have only one claim to come before You and that is Jesus. Yet now, we boldly come with confidence having been clothed in Your righteousness through faith in Him. Empower us by Your Spirit today to live as Your children in this world. In Jesus’ name, amen.