7-9 The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God’s righteousness.

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends

The Message of Proverbs - eBook
The Message of Proverbs - eBook
Retail: $3.99
Our Price: $2.89
Save: $1.10 (28%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
The Message: Catholic/Ecumenical Edition, Softcover
The Message: Catholic/Ecumenical Edition, Softcover
Retail: $29.95
Our Price: $3.99
Save: $25.96 (87%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
The Message // REMIX 2.0, Softcover, Case of 24
The Message // REMIX 2.0, Softcover, Case of 24
Retail: $479.76
Our Price: $379.99
Save: $99.77 (21%)
The Message Deluxe Gift Bible, Black/Slate Leather-Look
The Message Deluxe Gift Bible, Black/Slate Leather-Look
Retail: $19.99
Our Price: $15.99
Save: $4.00 (20%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars