Right Righteousness

 “and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,” Philippians 3:9-10 NKJV

The understanding of Apostle Paul’s concept of right righteousness is deeper than the ordinary struggle with filthiness or unrighteousness in life. After a believer has had the experience “and be found in Him”, the basic experience of grace - God’s righteousness at Christ’s expense - is obtained. But then, deeper than this foundational righteousness is the possible struggle for personal ambition instead of daily surrendering to God’s agenda. Absolute consecration demands the laying down of personal pursuit of relevance, respect, and recognition, even while engaged in all activities at the centre of God’s will. Unfortunately, believers are readily tempted to begin the race for personal relevance, respect, and recognition at the expense of knowing more of Christ’s purpose for every engagement in service. Whereas, for Apostle Paul, it is enough to just keep the focus straight on “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death”. Therefore, the right righteousness in believers’ daily engagements and relationships is the pursuit of Christ’s ambition (most often at the expense of the personal relevance, respect, and recognition) and how more He would want to be known by others through them.


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