Philippians 3

“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ” (v7). As Paul grew closer to Christ, he realized that “knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” was the true goal of his existence. The things that he used to count as righteousness – obedience to the Law, his unblemished background – became “rubbish” as he trusted in the perfection and sacrifice of Jesus (v8-9).

Rule-keeping means that we focus on ourselves, but “the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith” (v9) rests in a relationship with the Savior.