Our Sure Foundation

Our Sure Foundation

…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….

Philippians 3:9

We have spoken in the last few days of the things which we must discount if we are to have a relationship with Christ. Today we are going to move forward to consider the basis upon which our relationship must proceed. Having ‘cleared the decks’ of all dependency upon human merit. Paul proceeds to declare that he desires to ‘be found’ in Christ, ‘…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.’  The foundation of our relationship with God is our acceptance with Him upon the merits of Christ. This brings us to the subject of justification. ‘Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.’ We cannot have a relationship with Christ without this foundation. Everything that follows in our development in holiness rests upon this sure foundation. No attempts at holiness will succeed apart from the underlying foundation of justification. All of Paul’s thoughts of knowing Christ follow the laying of this foundation. Hence, we want to understand, and make much of this imputed righteousness of Christ to us. Justification means that in the eyes of God’s law, we are as righteous as Christ Himself. This does not respect our personal holiness, but rather our legal standing before God. Once that matter is settled, the rest of our relationship with Christ proceeds. Does your relationship with God, rest upon this sure foundation?

Our Holy and Justifying God,
we praise You that You make us righteous in Christ.
We rejoice that His merits are all the merit that we require
to be made acceptable in Your sight.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning