“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.”
(Philippians 3:9)
One of the greatest dangers facing every sinner is the temptation to trust in what we consider to be our own “righteousness.” The pride in human nature longs to contribute something toward acceptance with God. We compare themselves with others, measure our conduct against outward standards, and persuade ourselves that we possess some worthiness before the Lord. Yet Scripture strips away every refuge of self-confidence and declares that salvation rests on a righteousness provided by God Himself and none other.
The apostle Paul understood this truth through personal experience. Before his conversion, he possessed every advantage that religious men admired. He was zealous, disciplined, knowledgeable, and outwardly blameless according to the standards of his day. Yet when he came to know Christ, he recognized that none of those things could secure peace with God. All confidence in personal merit had to be abandoned so that Christ alone might be embraced.
Philippians 3:9 presents a clear contrast between two sources of righteousness. One is our own righteousness, derived from human effort and obedience. The other is the righteousness of God, received through faith in Jesus Christ. The first leaves the sinner condemned because no fallen person can satisfy the perfect demands of God’s holy law. The second provides complete acceptance because it rests in the finished work of Christ.
The righteousness of Christ is not just an example for us to imitate. It is the very ground on which believers are able to stand before God. The Lord Jesus perfectly obeyed the law that we have broken. He fulfilled every requirement of divine justice. He bore the penalty that sin deserved. Through His obedience and sacrificial death, He secured a righteousness sufficient for all who trust in Him.
This righteousness is called the righteousness of God because God Himself, in His eternal wisdom, designed it. The Father sent His Son, the Son accomplished redemption, and the Spirit applies that redemption to believers. And faith is the means by which this righteousness is received. Faith turns away from self and looks entirely to the Savior who alone can rescue us from our sin and clothe us in His righteousness.
Paul’s desire was to be found in Christ. To be found in Christ is to belong to Him, to be united to Him by faith, and to share in all the blessings secured through His mediation. When God looks at His people, He sees them in His beloved Son. Their acceptance rests not on fluctuating performance but in Christ’s unchanging righteousness.[1]
The law that condemns us is God’s law. The judgment we deserve is God’s judgment. The heaven we hope for is God’s heaven. And the righteousness by which we enter His presence is likewise God’s righteousness, freely given through Jesus Christ. Nothing could provide greater confidence for the soul than standing before God in a righteousness that He Himself has provided and approved.
Therefore, we need not live in continual fear that their failures have removed us from His favor. Our standing rests in Christ, not ourselves. The more clearly we understand the righteousness of Christ, the more eagerly we desire to live for the One who loved us and gave Himself for us.
Contemplations:
- Turning Away From Self-Reliance. I am often tempted to evaluate my standing before God by my recent performance, successes, or failures. And yet this passage reminds me that my acceptance with God rests entirely in Christ. The more I understand this truth, the more I learn to rest in the finished work of my Savior rather than in my own efforts.
- Marveling At God’s Provision. The wisdom of God shines brightly in the gospel. He did not merely point sinners toward a solution; He provided the solution Himself. The righteousness I need is the righteousness He has given in Christ. When I think about this provision, I am filled with gratitude that God supplied what I could never obtain on my own.
- Rejoicing In Union With Christ. To be found in Christ is one of the greatest privileges imaginable. My hope is not in my strength, consistency, or spiritual attainments. It is found in belonging to Him. Because I am united to Christ, His righteousness is my confidence before God, and His promises become my source of comfort and assurance.
- Living In Thankful Obedience. The righteousness of Christ does not make obedience unnecessary; it makes obedience joyful. Since I have already been accepted through Christ, I do not serve God in order to earn His favor but because I have received His favor. Gratitude becomes a stronger motivation than fear, and love the proper response to such amazing grace.
Prayer (Thanksgiving):
Gracious Father, thank You for the glorious righteousness provided through Your Son, Jesus Christ. My sins testify against me, and my best works can never satisfy the perfect demands of Your holy law. Yet in Your mercy You have provided a righteousness that is complete, sufficient, and acceptable in Your sight.
Thank You for sending Your Son to accomplish what I could never accomplish. He obeyed where I failed. He endured the penalty that my sins deserved. He fulfilled every requirement of Your justice and secured redemption for all who trust in Him.
I am grateful that salvation does not rest on my fluctuating obedience but in Christ’s finished work. When doubts arise and my weakness becomes evident, I can look away from myself and fix my eyes upon the Savior. His righteousness remains perfect, unchanging, and eternally sufficient.
I am also grateful for the gift of faith by which I am united to Christ. Through Him I have peace with You, access to Your presence, and confidence regarding the future. Every spiritual blessing comes through my union with Him.
All glory belongs to You. From beginning to end, salvation is Your work. You planned it, accomplished it, applied it, and preserve it.
So help me live each day with gratitude for such mercy. Keep me humble before You. Help me to rest continually in Christ alone and to walk in thankful obedience as one who has been freely justified by grace.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References:
1 Cor. 1:30; Rom. 9:30; 2 Peter 1:1; Gal. 2:16
[1] Thomas Manton, The Complete Works of Thomas Manton, vol. 20 (London: James Nisbet & Co., 1874), 41-44.
