How to be found in Christ?

“And to be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:9-11

If you have been found in Christ you will never attempt to acquire the righteousness of God through your own efforts and you will understand it is impossible to claim ownership to the holiness of God.

The righteousness of God is a gift which comes by your faith in Jesus. It has nothing to do with works or keeping laws. 

The life of Christ lives in you in the essence of the Holy Spirit. Your faith and obedience to Christ is the source of the righteousness of God.

It is very difficult to believe that the excellence of the knowledge of the Lord is worth the loss of all things. However, the Cross causes you to die to the things of the world and you lose the right to yourself. And, if you want a close fellowship with Jesus you will endure pain and suffering. 

You have to be conformed to the death of Jesus before you can participate fully in the resurrected power of Christ. Your ego, personal desires, and self preservation have to be crucified so you can be an anointed disciple of Christ working with pure motives.

The ministry of Christ is not about gaining personal glory or achieving notoriety.  Your goal is to humbly seek out the will of God and live by faith believing in the promises of God.

The disciple lives for Jesus above all else. He commits his works each day to Jesus and prays for the thoughts of Christ to be established within Him. 

He walks in oneness with Jesus anchored to the Holy Spirit. He endures severe testing and many troubles. He fails God often and consistently seeks repentance and the blood of Christ to cover Him. 

The life of a Christ follower consists of a vigilant prayer life, living in the Word of God, and listening for the voice of Christ. He is open to the correction of the Holy Spirit and has a heart to please God. 

In your journey with God you will have to prove your obedience and operate with the values of Christ in the small and mundane details of life. Then God will give you bigger challenges and expand your ministry. 

Christians mistakenly believe they must do things for God. The reality is you can never do anything of value for God but He can do great things working through you. 

The Christ follower must learn to cease from striving and rest in God. Wait patiently for God believing it is not by might nor by power but by the Spirit of Christ.