Friend, this is the laser focus we talked about at the beginning of today’s study. “Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead-” (Galatians 1:1). Not from men nor through man, meaning there was nothing that could be carried over from his former religion. It was all a loss to him for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.
Everything he previously thought and was taught as useful from man’s point of view had now become garbage. The message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified, the power of God, is completely opposed to man’s teachings, human traditions, human wisdom, and human reasoning. This heart and life-transforming power at the cross is the reason we call everyone to look to the cross by faith and believe the message, for this cross alone frees captives, releases sin-prisoners, heals broken hearts and brings true worship to all.
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ” (Colossians 2:8 NIV).
“This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words” (1 Corinthians 2:13 NIV).
It’s not about human tradition or wisdom, but words “taught by the Spirit.” Human tradition and wisdom keeps us captive, trapped in a righteousness of our own. Freedom from sin's power comes through the Spirit of God who flowed from the powerful cross where Jesus was crucified. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV).
“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 on the basis of faith” (Philippians 3:9 NIV).
Question 5: What are the two types of righteousness listed in (v9)?
“For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness” (Romans 10:2-3 NIV).
“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:10-11 NIV).
Can you see the connection between the two statements “to know Christ” and “to know the power” of His resurrection? Paul here wants to participate in the sufferings of Christ, the death of Christ and thereby joining Christ in the resurrection from the dead. What a contrast from a “righteousness of my own”, to the righteousness found only in Christ. To know the power of Jesus’ resurrection is to know Christ in a personal way through our new life experience. At the cross, our hearts are pierced, as Jesus’ heart was, and we experience amazing burning in our pierced hearts to know Him more. Paul said, “I want to know Christ”!
Question 6: What about you, friend, do you have a righteousness of your own that comes from the law, or righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith in Christ?
“All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you” (Philippians 3:15 NIV)
“For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things” (Philippians 3:18-19 NIV).
Question 7: What is the basis for Paul’s tears and the reason many live as “enemies of the cross”?
Friend, may we plead with the gospel message in our churches and sometimes as Paul did with his tears. Preaching and teaching to abandon all hope and confidence in the flesh. All human achievements and wisdom so that our minds will not be set on earthly things. But let us invite all to come to the cross and see Jesus removing their “confidence in the flesh” as He was pierced and cut off in His. Come and die with Jesus, and find real life!