October 31, 2025 - Philippians 3-4

Paul constantly writes about our righteousness in Christ.  He testifies, here, that if anyone had any reason to boast in his own righteousness apart from Christ, he did.  Circumcised, a Pharisee of the Pharisees, persecutor of the [heretical; according to him] church, and under the law blameless.  But what does he write?  “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order 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 comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith” (3:8-9).  Almost 1600 years later, a hymn writer understood and rejoiced.

Jesus, priceless treasure,

source of purest pleasure,

friend most sure and true:

long my heart was burning,

fainting much and yearning,

thirsting, Lord, for you.

Yours I am, O spotless Lamb,

so will I let nothing hide you,

seek no joy beside you!   --Johann Franck (1653)