All I want is Christ and to know that I belong to Him
In these verses, it sounds like as if Paul was still seeking to gain Christ. Actually, he had won Christ when he first acknowledged His as Lord and Savior. But the present tense indicates that this is still his attitude—he still counts all else as rubbish when compared to the value of knowing the Lord Jesus. The great desire of his heart is : “That Christ may be my gain.” Not gold, or silver, or religious reputation, but Christ.
Paul had made his choice. He had abandoned all else in order to be found in Christ. The moment he believed on the Lord Jesus, he stood in a new position before God. No longer was he seen as a child of sinful Adam, but now he was seen in Christ, enjoying all the favor which the Lord Jesus enjoys before God the Father.
Likewise he had renounced the filthy rags of his own self-righteousness, which he had sought to win by keeping the law, and had chosen the righteousness of God which is bestowed on everyone who receives the Savior.
Righteousness is spoken here of as a garment or covering. Man needs righteousness in order to stand before God in favor. But man cannot product it. And so, in grace, God gives His own righteousness to those who receive His Son as Lord and Savior.
The apostle contrasts the heavenly-minded attitude of the true believer. Paul reminds the believers that their citizenship is in heaven. Not only we are citizens of heaven, but we also eagerly wait for the Savior from heaven!
Dear friend, have you got your ‘Heavenly Passport’—the Lord Jesus Christ?
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