One of my favorite verses is Philippians 3:9. The HCSB translates it like this:
A second point can be made concerning this verse. It speaks of being found in a particular location, in Him, i.e. in Christ. It is obvious that if one can be found in Christ, then the opposite is also true... one can be found outside of Christ. In fact, this phrase in Him is an exclusive phrase. In other words, it basically pegs all of humanity into one of two possible categories; in Him, or not in Him. These are the only two options implied. The Apostle Paul, who wrote these words, made it his goal to be found in Christ. Why was it so important to him that he be found in Christ? My third point will help us answer that question.
Paul wanted to be found in Christ because he knew that only in Him is true righteousness. This verse speaks of two kinds of righteousness: that earned from obeying the law, or that received as a gift from God. Paul, a former Pharisee of first rank, tried to earn righteousness by keeping the law (see Philippians 3). But Paul later abandoned that effort as futile. Concerning the law, he wrote:
...and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ- the righteousness from God based on faith.I would like to expound on this verse a little and explain why it is special to me. First of all, it speaks of being found. The fact is that each one of us is found in either a good spiritual state or a bad spiritual state in God's eyes. The Scripture says in Hebrews 4:13 that "No creature is hidden from Him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account." The first thing that Adam did after he sinned was to try to cover his guilt with leaves and hide from God in the shadows. The first thing God did was find Adam and call him to account for what he had done. Knowing that I am unable to hide myself from God's all-seeing eyes, and that I must give an account to Him causes me to be in a serious bind. I have sinned against Him multiple times. I can only stand before Him as guilty. Even if I try really hard from now on to not sin, and even if somehow I manage to not sin for the rest of my days, that does not erase the fact that I have sinned in the past. It only takes one sin to be a sinner. What hope do I have who have sinned multiple times?
A second point can be made concerning this verse. It speaks of being found in a particular location, in Him, i.e. in Christ. It is obvious that if one can be found in Christ, then the opposite is also true... one can be found outside of Christ. In fact, this phrase in Him is an exclusive phrase. In other words, it basically pegs all of humanity into one of two possible categories; in Him, or not in Him. These are the only two options implied. The Apostle Paul, who wrote these words, made it his goal to be found in Christ. Why was it so important to him that he be found in Christ? My third point will help us answer that question.
Paul wanted to be found in Christ because he knew that only in Him is true righteousness. This verse speaks of two kinds of righteousness: that earned from obeying the law, or that received as a gift from God. Paul, a former Pharisee of first rank, tried to earn righteousness by keeping the law (see Philippians 3). But Paul later abandoned that effort as futile. Concerning the law, he wrote:
For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written: "Everyone who does not continue doing everything written in the book of the law is cursed." Galatians 3:10 (HCSB)Paul learned that the law cannot give righteousness. Instead, it can only condemn because no one can keep it perfectly. He penned the famous words, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). If works-based righteousness condemns, then we are forced to look for a second kind of righteousness, one that will save. Philippians 3:9 speaks of a second kind of righteousness- the righteousness from God. This righteousness is said to be from God, signifying that it is something that God has and something that God potentially gives. The obvious question to be asked is, "How does one get this God-given righteousness?" The answer is provided in our verse. It says that the righteousness from God is based on faith, and more specifically, faith in Christ. Being based on faith means that faith is its foundation; not good works, not law-keeping, not philanthropy, not religion, not ritual. But faith alone is not enough, it must be faith in Christ. To have faith in Christ means to trust in Him alone for your righteousness. Therefore, the righteousness that is from God is given as a result of trust in Jesus Christ's own righteousness and no other.
But to the one who does not work, but believes on Him who declares the ungodly to be righteous, his faith is credited for righteousness. Romans 4:5 (HCSB)The moment a person places their faith in Jesus, he receives God's gift of righteousness on his account. At the same time, he is also united with Christ and is placed in Him. In my last post, A Personal Testimony, I referred to 1 Corinthians 1:30. I think it is appropriate to close this post with the same verse.
But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us- our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption... 1 Corinthians 1:30 (HCSB)God does the work of placing a believer in Christ Jesus. Because the believer is now located in Christ, God sees that believer as righteous, sanctified, and redeemed. I want to be found in Him. Where will you be found?