THE VERSE
not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.~Philippians 3:9-10
THE THOUGHT
On Friday we saw the incredible good news of justification—that God has placed all our sin on Christ, and has counted us as righteous, holy, and blameless before Him because of Christ’s perfect life on our behalf. But now we have to ask the question: why is that good news?It’s a fair question. What’s so great about justification, about me being covered in the righteousness of Christ? So what? Philippians 3, more clearly than any other text on justification gives us the answer. Why is justification so important, so precious? “The righteousness from God that depends on faith, that I may know Him. Justification is so that we can know Christ! If it were not for the great exchange of my sin for His righteousness, we would still be cut off from Christ, alienated from God and dead in our sins. But because of what He has done for us—dying for our forgiveness and living for our justification—we can boldly enter the very presence of God. We can read His Word and understand it, we can pray and know He hears and answers. We can walk with Him, knowing He lives in us. And we can have full confidence that when we stand before Him, we will be welcomed into heaven as dearly beloved children, holy and blameless and above reproach. And all of these blessings are not things that we earn; no, they are gifts of His grace, purchased by His blood and made ours through justification.
Justification and forgiveness are not ends in an of themselves. They are merely means—the means by which God opens the door to us knowing and enjoying Him forever.
THE PRAYER
Dear God, Thank you for making the way for me to know You. I was created to know You, and all fulfillment and joy is ultimately found in seeing and savoring Your glory. Thank you for the Gospel, which opens the door for me to find everlasting, ever-increasing joy in making much of You forever.EXTENDED READING
Philippians 3:7-11Romans 5:1-5
1 Peter 3:18
THE QUOTE
“Let faith look on Christ in the gospel as he is set forth dying and crucified for us. Look on him under the weight of our sins, praying, bleeding, dying; bring him in that condition into thy heart by faith; apply his blood so shed to thy corruptions: do this daily.” ~John OwenTHROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Ezra 3Proverbs 2
Luke 13:10-21
1 Timothy 1:12-20
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