If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 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; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. Philippians 4b-6
I absolutely love reading anything by Paul. This has been a man to me who has been on both sides of Christianity. I think one of the greatest things about Paul is the fact that he was great on both sides. Every earthly accomplishment and success story Paul had. Paul was circumcised, leader among Hebrews, zealous against the church, righteous through legalism. Paul had it made among the unchristian. What hits me the most here is this idea of legalistic righteousness. Just last night I heard how legalism is our system to rigtheousness that only leaves us empty. Legalism is such a popular word especially among the unchristian. Paul is writing this letter to a bunch of Christians to encourage them with his testimony yet at the same time he is still drilling home so many other mini sermons. Everything that Paul could do in human ability Paul did. I love it though because Paul now has discovered the reality that all these temporary titles and earthly accomplishments will not spend eternity with him. My degree, my title, my accomplishments on earth wont be leaving earth any time soon.
The battle for me is that I boast in these accomplishments. I get so excited about everything I have done. Everything that I am called. All these things that the world tells me is great and successful. Paul at one point knew they were to his “profit” but verse 7 says he now considers them a “loss for the sake of Christ.” When Paul became a Christian his world was flipped upside down. In light of the cross and the selfless life of Christ everything I am going to do in this temporal world in my own ability will fade. The righteousness I try to earn through check lists and personal goals is really nothing compared to the righteousness that comes through Christ. In the old testament my righteousness is counted as filthy rags, filthy rags literally being the pads for women at the time. Talk about gross. That is how far off my own righteousness is. When coming into the reality of Christ and the gospel everything else tends to fade to the back and really lose it’s importance. Praise God that the righteousness through Christ is provided and it is not based on my ability but instead on my weakness.
“I consider them rubbish, 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 is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.” Philippians 3
