April 11, 2025 - Philippians 3:9 - "To Be Found in Him"

Philippians 3:9

"and be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by Faith:"

None will be found in Christ who hope in any other righteousness than that of God in Christ alone established, approved and imputed at the cross.  From Paul’s testimony, here we learn three things:

1. Who is the sole object of a convinced sinner’s FAITH? 

It is not what Paul was in himself, nor anything wrought in him (even by God), nor anything done by him. His only hope and plea were wholly and exclusively in the Person and Righteousness of the Son of God. If you have the FAITH of God’s elect, your soul’s complete hope is the finished work of the LORD and to be found in Him in life, death, and in the judgment to come. Like Paul, you are constantly looking outside yourself, to all that was wrought in Him and by Him. All other righteousness as a point of justification, forgiveness of sin and hope of endless life is nothing compared to the infinitely perfect and everlastingly glorious righteousness of Christ, "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30). "Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation" (Romans 5:9-11). 

  2. What graces may be evidenced in us are the fruits of righteousness, not righteousness itself.

Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God" (Philippians 1:11). ""And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever" (Isaiah 32:17). 

While we value the evidence of Grace in us as redeemed sinners [i.e., faith, hope, love, repentance] , we dare not look at them as our justification before God. They may be used by the Spirit as comfortable evidence that we are one with Christ and the object of the Father’s everlasting, electing, redeeming love, but they are not our righteousness. Our Rihteousness is seated in Heaven, seated because Christ accomplished righteousness and finished it on behalf of sinners such as we are and is set down at the right hand of the Father’s majesty above, "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain" (Galatians 2:21). "Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness" (Galatians 3:6). "Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness" (Romans 4:9). These graces are not bestowed on us as a rival to Christ, but rather as comforting mercies to enable us to glorify HIM and exalt Him in our heart, lips and lives.

3. What good works may be evidenced in us or by us do not justify our persons.

They do justify our FAITH, our profession, and adorn the very Doctrine of Grace against the charge of licentiousness: "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way" (James 2:20-25)? 

One found of Christ is more concerned with honoring Christ in obedience to Him than drawing attention to himself and his good works.  May we also be more concerned that the Glorious Light of the LORD Jesus Christ so shine through us that men might see His Good Work for us and in us and glorify our Father Who is in Heaven.

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).