In this letter to the Philippians we see this tension that Paul writes about in other letters as well, namely the tension between righteousness built on faith versus works. At the heart of it we must understand that faith is built firmly on the work that God has done and not us. We cannot save ourselves or change ourselves or do right ourselves. But God in his mercy comes and rescues us when we put our hope and trust in him alone. He then forgives us and rescues us from the penalty of our sins - death - and he changes us to be able to want and to do righteously. But it is not done there! From there we must make choices and take action based on what God had done. God enables both of them and we then live in accordance with him, working out or salvation with fear and trembling.
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him,
Philippians 3:8
Nothing that we have or came from (accomplishments or heritage) are with anything in Christ. I fact Paul counts it all as garbage in light of Jesus.
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 on the basis of faith.
Philippians 3:9
This verse in combination with the one below paint the picture of the tension between faith and works.
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14
This verse in isolation is about works. But in context it is about living in the freedom granted to us by Christ.
Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
Philippians 3:16
Don't go backwards. Keep doing what Christ had worked in us.
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Philippians 3:20-21 NIV
Amen! That is an exciting reminder!
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