Philippians 4:7-9
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 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.
Reflection
After going through the reasons that Paul should trust in himself, he comes to the conclusion that all that he talked about (in Philippians 4:4-6 that we read yesterday) he is willing to give up for knowing Christ. What he had gained on his own (before knowing Christ) is garbage. Paul now realizes that all of his accomplishments gain him nothing.
The only thing that profits him is knowing the righteousness that he attains by having faith in Christ. This is the only righteousness that comes from God and it is not what he can do on his own. Christ has already done it for him.
Think about your past. What you have gained (what have you done on your own) that is worth exchanging for what having faith in Christ can do for you?
