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Outline 080 of 100 · Philippians

The Righteousness Which Is of God by Faith

Philippians 3:4-14 — Counting all things loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

Paul lists his own impressive religious résumé — circumcised the eighth day, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee, blameless touching the righteousness of the law — only to declare it all loss for the excellency of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord. He counts these former credentials as dung, that he may win Christ 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.' This is the sharpest contrast in Scripture between self-righteousness and imputed righteousness — one is earned and boasted in, the other is received and gloried in Christ alone. Paul then describes the ongoing pursuit of Christ, not as one who has already attained but as one who presses toward the mark, forgetting what is behind and reaching forth to what is before. Righteousness by faith is both an instantaneous gift and a lifelong pursuit of knowing the One who gave it.

  1. I. The credentials listed

    • Circumcised the eighth day, of the tribe of Benjamin
    • A Pharisee, touching zeal persecuting the church
    • Blameless touching the righteousness of the law

  2. II. The reversal declared

    • What things were gain, counted loss for Christ
    • All things counted but dung
    • That he might win Christ and be found in Him

  3. III. The righteousness contrasted

    • "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"

  4. IV. The pursuit continued

    • "Not as though I had already attained"
    • "Forgetting those things which are behind"
    • "Reaching forth... I press toward the mark"

  5. V. The prize kept in view

    • "The mark for the prize of the high calling of God"
    • "In Christ Jesus" as the goal and ground
    • A life oriented entirely around knowing Him
The appeal

Whatever credentials you have built your confidence upon, will you count them loss today for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, and receive the righteousness which is of God by faith?

Key points

  • Paul's impressive religious credentials could not produce true righteousness.
  • True righteousness comes through faith in Christ, not law-keeping or personal merit.
  • Knowing Christ is both an instant gift received and a lifelong pursuit continued.

Key passages

  • Philippians 3:7-9
  • Philippians 3:10
  • Philippians 3:13-14
  • Romans 10:3-4