We saw in the the last post, All My “Creds” are Garbage???  –  Joy in Believing –  PHILIPPIANS  (Chapter 3)   [9], http://wp.me/p5nZpi-sC, that Paul had a change of attitude.  A attitude change from forcibly sharing God with people, to lovingly sharing God with people.  Paul realized that neither he nor other people could be made right with God by “doing” or by following “the rules”.  Instead, change comes about through faith in, and relationship with a person, Jesus.

HOW DID PAUL COME TO THIS REVELATION?

“I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.  For God’s way of making us right with Himself depends on faith.“ – Philippians 3:9b

Look back at this verse.  Paul says, “I become righteous through faith in Christ.”

It is not faith is what, but faith in who.

RIGHTEOUSNESS?

Righteousness, right standing with God, comes from God.  It is not what we “do”, what we force others to “do”, or what makes “sense” to us.  It is the provision of our Creator that has made righteousness available to all people through faith.  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. –  Ephesians 2:8-9

FAITH IN WHO?

Jesus Christ!!

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.  –  2 Corinthians 5:21

                

When we put our faith in Jesus, trusting that He took all our sins upon Himself when He was crucified, He then exchanges those sins for righteousness, right standing with God, – Philippians 3:9b

So it wasn’t a matter of Paul suddenly forgetting all his education, his knowledge, or his upbringing.  It was a matter of Paul following God’s ways, instead of man’s ways.  No longer putting his trust and faith in himself, but in God.

HAS PAUL REACHED THE GOAL?  HAS HE COMPLETELY EXPERIENCED THE JOY OF BELIEVING?

Here’s what Paul has to say about his faith journey, ^“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” –  Phil. 3:12

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead… – v.13

Paul’s end goal – to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. – v.14

                                 

THE JOY OF BELIEVING – AN ONGOING EXPERIENCE —

As we press ahead in our daily lives, temptations will arise, and we may even stumble from time to time.  But Paul reminds us that we are forever maturing if we obey the truth we have learned already. – Phil 3:16  So don’t beat yourself up because you’re not “perfect”, pull yourself up by your bootstraps, get back on the horse. Seek God’s guidance and direction for all that you don’t know, and continue applying daily, all that you do know.

Paul experienced Joy in Believing.  Not in himself and his “creds”, but in the saving power and Lordship of Jesus.

We’re not alone on “the journey”.  We have the Holy Spirit’s guidance, the Bible, and as Paul reminds us, we have a community of believers to tangibly support, comfort, and guide us.

“Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.”  –  Phil. 3:17

Our joy doesn’t come from our circumstances, relying on what we have obtained or accomplished, but rather, joy comes from our reliance on Christ within us.  See, “I Just Wanna Be Happy!!”  (Part 1), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kK

Experiencing Joy in Believing is an ongoing process.  We now know that the first step towards experiencing the joy Paul speaks about is putting our faith in Jesus vs. ourselves.  If you would like to take that next step, and put your faith in Jesus, see The Cornerstone… in the above tabs, http://wp.me/P5nZpi-bJ.

                            

 

LET GO AND LET GOD…

                                                   

< KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE FINAL CHAPTER OF PHILIPPIANS, CHAPTER 4, THE JOY IN GIVING  —   ALL Our “Needs” Will Be Met 🙂  –  Joy in Giving –  PHILIPPIANS  (Chapter 4)   [11]http://wp.me/p5nZpi-ul >

 

< IN CASE YOU MISSED PARTS 1 & 2 OF PHILIPPIANS CHAPTER 3… >

Yeah, but I’ve Got the “Creds”!!  –  Joy in Believing –  PHILIPPIANS  (Chapter 3a)   [8],  http://wp.me/p5nZpi-sk

All My “Creds” are Garbage???  –  Joy in Believing –  PHILIPPIANS  (Chapter 3)   [9], http://wp.me/p5nZpi-sC