The Ground of Our Salvation | June 8th, 2026

Philippians 3:1-9
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.

2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no >>confidence<< in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have  confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

7 But what things were gain to me, these I have  counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 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;

Paul reminds us that our salvation rests not on our achievements, credentials, or religious pedigree, but solely on Christ. Everything we once counted as gain—our accomplishments, our reputation, our good works—is worthless compared to knowing Jesus. Paul considered his impressive résumé as "rubbish" when weighed against the surpassing worth of Christ. This is the foundation of joy: we are saved not by what we do, but by what Christ has done.

Today, examine what you're trusting in for your standing before God. Are you relying on your own righteousness or Christ's? Lay down your self-effort and rest fully in the finished work of Jesus. True joy begins when we stop trying to earn what has already been freely given.