Philippians: True and Lasting JoySample

Joy in Christ’s Righteousness

Where do you find your significance, approval, acceptance and security? When we hurt, where do we run? What soothes our pain? When we fail, what restores our confidence? When we feel life is chaotic, what is our immediate instinct to regain control? If you are honest with yourself, you will realise that Jesus is not the one we run to but we have our own little gods to approve, comfort, secure and accept us. 

It could be work. We work hard to be approved, accepted and feel secure. 

It could be habits. We run to our habits to have a sense of control or comfort. 

It could be our family. When our family is successful, then our reputation is intact. 

It could be money. When our bank balance is low, we feel insecure and lack self worth but a bigger bank balance makes us feel good about ourselves. 

Do you see how easy it is for us to run to things other than Jesus to make ourselves feel good, to find our worth and significance. 

Christ and His righteousness are our ultimate source of identity and significance. Instead of seeking your own righteousness as a way to justify yourself, would you seek the perfect righteousness of Christ? This can be experienced only when we repent and renounce our tendency to seek our own righteousness everyday of our lives and look to Jesus as our Saviour and Lord. 

Performance driven Christianity will leave you without joy and living out of duty. Following Jesus out of a deep delight in the gospel frees you from guilt and shame and roots your identity in Christ. Such a life is at deep rest in the work of Christ on the cross and never shaken by anything in this world.