One of my favorite passages of Scripture is in Philippians 3:1-16, especially verses 7-14, which I have written about before. It was on my mind because last night a friend seemed to suggest that lately his sinfulness has been weighing on him. For me, Romans 8:1 (no condemnation) and this passage have been helpful to meditate on and go over frequently.
Paul begins the passage (4-6) recounting some of the things that are to his credit, that is, the best that he has to offer--and it is impressive. Paul was a 'super-hero' of Judaism. A brilliant mind. Non-stop energy and focus.
But the very best that Paul has to offer are counted as loss for the sake of the Messiah (7). Paul counts his very best as loss, and all things, his best and worst, as rubbish, in view of the surpassing value of knowing Jesus the Messiah as His Lord (8). The rays from a simple light bulb are nothing when exposed to the light of the sun.
My favorite part of this passage is found in verse 9: that I may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own. What righteousness, then, would I be found with? A righteousness which comes from God on the basis of the faithfulness [of the Messiah]. This is an oft-repeated verse for me. I do not have a righteousness of my own, but that which is through the faithfulness of Jesus the Messiah.
Recall that Paul, in Ephesians, makes righteousness our breastplate in the armor of God (Eph. 6:14). In the Jewish thought, the seat of your emotions is your "gut"--and it is the breastplate that protects that area. This righteousness that is on the basis of the Messiah's faithfulness is that which protects my heart and my emotions from the darts of the enemy.
When a flaming dart comes flying in with a sharp accusation that "you are a no-good, dirty-rotten, wicked filthy awful human being," I can reply, "Yep, and I am in Jesus, not having a righteousness of my own, but that which is given to me because of His faithfulness." In other words, the magnitude of my wickedness is no barrier to receiving His righteousness--because it is given on the basis of His faithfulness. HIS faithfulness. Not mine. The flaming darts that attempt to wound or destroy me are met with, and blocked by, His righteousness.
There is one qualification to be saved: God only saves sinners. And you're in luck--you qualify! And only one way of salvation--through the faithfulness of Jesus. And it is because of His faithfulness that you are made righteous. That makes all the difference, not only on that day, but today. Embrace this righteousness that is not your own. And thank Him for it.
