God's Righteousness at work in us:
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Romans 8:3-4).
The Apostle Paul, prior to his conversion, prided himself as being blameless in keeping the righteousness, which is of the Law. He said, “If anyone else thinks he has reasons to have confidence in the flesh legalistic righteousness or the righteousness which is of the Law I have more” (Philippians 3:4). He then went ahead to enumerate his credentials: “circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless” (Philippians 3:5-6 NIV)
From the human perspective, he kept the Law perfectly, but when God showed him the imperfection of his life, he conceded that there was no use having confidence in one’s so-called good works or self-righteousness.
The Word declares that the Law made nothing perfect but the bringing in of a better hope did (Hebrews 7:19). But blessed be God! Acts 13:38-39 says, “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man (Jesus Christ) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”
Don’t try to impress God with your religious performances; don’t think the reason He’ll answer your prayers is because you haven’t done anything wrong in the last few weeks; no! He hears and answers your prayer because His righteousness has been fulfilled in Christ, and you prayed in the Name of Jesus. The summary of the Gospel is that you’re found in Christ, not having your own righteousness, but have embraced and are confident in God’s righteousness (Philippians 3:8-9).
