vs 7-10 “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ…not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God…”

Observations:
Paul introduces this topic by saying that we should have no confidence in our own righteousness. We have nothing that can earn our right place with God. If anyone could, it would be him. And then he lists all of the reasons why, and there are many. Then he says that none of those things that man thinks are important matter when it comes to our right place with God. Only faith in Christ allows God’s gift of his righteousness to be given to us.

Application:
I need to stop putting so much credence in the things that man thinks are important - job, money, status, etc. Thank God, I have already received God’s free gift of grace in salvation that places me at a right place with him for eternity. I know those things of the world cannot earn me anything with God. But still, I give them a lot of attention and importance in my life.

Prayer:
God, please help me to focus on you and not look to the things of this world to bring me pleasure or anything good. If I am not following you, I am not headed in the right direction. Help me to not look towards those things that don’t matter to you, the things can be so distracting from you and the direction I really want to go in. Thank you for the salvation you have given me. It was a gift and even the act of faith was a gift for me - one that I have never questioned. Thank you for that. Now, please help me to live a life worthy of the calling I have received. Amen.