Reviling Like Poop.

Philippians 3:9

“and be found in him, (Christ)

not having a righteousness of my own

that comes from the law,

but that which comes through faith in Christ,

the righteousness that comes from God that depends on faith”

In the previous verse Paul has said he has counted all things as “rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ,” then it moves into our verse “and be found in him,”. The word Rubbish there literally mean poop. Paul counts every worldly thing as disgusting and worthless. Every sinful desire, every fleshly work, and dead works of the Jewish law, he has counted a loss if they keep him from knowing, gaining, and being found in Christ. Indeed anything that keeps us from abiding in faith in Christ should revile us in the same way that poop does. When you see sin, greed, or dead works for what they really are, and what they really do it can leave a sick feeling in your stomach. Even the things that tempt me daily when put in the right perspective lose their appeal. I think here Paul is referring to dead works more than anything else based on verses earlier in the chapter (see verses 3-6) and in context with the next portion of the verse as well. “Not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,” How tragic it is if anyone would be deceived into thinking that works apart from faith could save them. Yet it happens daily. It should outrage us as Christians when others say you have to do such and such in order to be saved. Now we know also from the book of James that Faith without works is dead, so then how can these two seemingly contradictory statements be unified? Perhaps if we look at Ephesians 2:8-10 we will get a clearer view,

“For by Grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Salvation is by grace, grace is not only forgiveness of sins, but also God's restoration and sanctification of us, and this only comes through faith, and even that faith is a gift of God. For “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17

So here is the thing, if you are working to be saved that is just not how it works. However when you hear the gospel and believe in Jesus to save you, the Holy Spirit fills you, and because of a changed heart the natural outcome is good works. It is the outworking of an inward change.

So all that to clarify the difference between dead works and serving the living God.

“but that which comes through faith in Christ,
the righteousness that comes from God that depends on faith”

The moment we believe and receive Christ we are considered Righteous in God's eyes because of our faith in the finished work of Christ. What Paul is now speaking of is justification. Justification is a long word but in this context it can be taken to mean just as if I'd never sinned. Our sin is no longer seen only the righteousness of Christ. God because of our faith views us as His own Son.

So what does all of this have to do with our week's theme of sacrifice? Perhaps like Naaman we are simply to sacrifice our pride and believe Christ' sacrifice was enough. To be humble and simply admit our need to be washed of our sin and our inability to save ourselves. This is where Paul lived, trusting in the righteousness of Christ for salvation. This is where we are to live daily.

Application

Daily trust on the Jesus.

How?

Today I will make a note of remembering that God sees Jesus righteousness when I pray in faith for forgiveness.