Philippians 3:2-9
Here Paul contrasts his former life as a Pharisee verses his new life as a believer in Yeshua of Nazareth.
Prior to his conversion, he thought he was far above everyone else, living within the guidelines of the strictest sect in the Judahite faith. When Paul met Yeshua (for who he really is), he had to acknowledge that he needed a Savior.
Being a Pharisee, and being circumcised on the eighth day didn’t make Saul of Tarsus righteous. He too, like the rest of us, fell short of Yahweh's perfect glory (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23). He realized now that his righteousness was based upon faith in the Messiah and not upon his performance. He recognized that he had been trying to earn righteousness with the Almighty, rather than be given it through faith.
This is something we must all recognize, least we grow into thinking that somehow we are meriting salvation by our works, rather than by coming to Yahweh by faith in His Son. If we earned salvation by working for Yahweh there would be no need for Him to even send us His Son. He sent Him because we need Him. He gave Him, because we need a perfect, sinless high priest.
None of this violates believing that the law is the way of life for the people of Yahweh. Heart-felt-law-keeping is the fruit of justification, but it is by no means the root, cause, or means of justification.
Prior to his conversion, he thought he was far above everyone else, living within the guidelines of the strictest sect in the Judahite faith. When Paul met Yeshua (for who he really is), he had to acknowledge that he needed a Savior.
Being a Pharisee, and being circumcised on the eighth day didn’t make Saul of Tarsus righteous. He too, like the rest of us, fell short of Yahweh's perfect glory (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23). He realized now that his righteousness was based upon faith in the Messiah and not upon his performance. He recognized that he had been trying to earn righteousness with the Almighty, rather than be given it through faith.
This is something we must all recognize, least we grow into thinking that somehow we are meriting salvation by our works, rather than by coming to Yahweh by faith in His Son. If we earned salvation by working for Yahweh there would be no need for Him to even send us His Son. He sent Him because we need Him. He gave Him, because we need a perfect, sinless high priest.
None of this violates believing that the law is the way of life for the people of Yahweh. Heart-felt-law-keeping is the fruit of justification, but it is by no means the root, cause, or means of justification.