It's Not Mine, It's His

When I was in school we always knew when the tests were coming. We knew exactly which day and which hour. We knew, in general terms, what was going to be on the test. The prudent student starting preparing well in advance and kept preparing right up to the time the test was administered.

In the workplace, not only do I know when the deadlines are but I get to set a great many of them. I know when things are due and I know what the specifications are for completion. I work backwards from the deadline to build my projects so that I can start preparing well in advance, make steady progress towards the goal and complete my projects on time.

In the spiritual realm of God's Kingdom, all that is for naught for I have no idea when Christ Jesus will return. I know that when he does, I am going to be judged. I read the standards and I realize that I scarcely understand them let alone have any ability to meet them. From what I can pick up, it's already too late for me to meet the standard. Apparently, one of the standards is to never fall short of the standard! Far too late for that!

But I also understand that there is one who met and meets the standard. If I am properly aligned with Him, then he'll take care of me.

The Apostle Paul understood this and we can read about it in;

Philippians 3:9 (NIV)

⁹ 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. ^[1]

^[1] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

Paul knew that Christ would be coming back and he knew that when he did, he would search out the truth of men's hearts just like a man searches a dark house with a flash-light. That's why he uses the image of 'be[ing] found in him.' When that time comes, Paul wants to be found in Christ, not outside of Christ.

This passage then describes the condition of being outside of Christ; "[not] having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law." We need to know that our ability to follow the law, even down to the very last letter, is insufficient for us to 'be found in him.' We can count of this for elsewhere in scripture we are admonished that 'ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.' All, everyone, every one, even those who think they have followed the law well enough to be considered righteous. As we read yet another place in scripture, 'our righteous acts are as filthy rags.' It's just not good enough.

But there is a righteousness that is good enough, that of Jesus the Christ. We can 'be found in him... through faith in Christ.' It is only by grace through faith that we are saved, not by anything we do or not do. (yes, that's a paraphrase!) Paul teaches us in this passage that the righteousness imparted by faith in Christ is 'the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.'

Like Paul, I want to be found in Christ. And since I don't know when he is returning, I better be prepared now; he could come now... or now.... or wait.... now. It matters not to one who is prepared through faith for His imminent return.

Shalom,

Carl