How would you define your needs? Many times our definitions are different from God’s definitions. Consequently, we need to align our thoughts with His thoughts. Otherwise we may very well become sorely disappointed. Today’s verse is one of the most precious ones, especially in relation to everyday life with all its challenges and difficulties.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

Illustrations are always helpful in order to understand Biblical truths. Jesus was a Master Illustrator. He explained Biblical realities with everyday examples, those that people could relate to. Let’s consider the following illustration.

     Image you were dirt poor and solely lived on the good and generosity of others. Someone pays your rent and utilities, while another pays for all your grocery items. Let’s assume that Jesus is the One who provides all your groceries.

     He goes to His Father’s supermarket, called All Your Necessities, and puts down ten trillion dollars. He states to His Father that if you mention His name at the cash register, you’ll receive the groceries for free. No doubt His deposit is more than sufficient.

     While most illustrations fall somewhat short in accuracy, this one does make the point. Jesus purchased every blessing and promise through His righteous life and sacrificial death, including the ones that are directly related to the Father’s care for us. He obtained them for His people. These blessings and promises are boundless; there are no limited quantities.

     Since Jesus purchased them for His people, the Father “will supply every need of yours.” He freely supplies them from “the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Since we’re “in Christ Jesus,” we’re the eternal beneficiaries. We’ll experience His riches throughout eternity, benefitting from what He has purchased for us. The good news is that these riches are applicable right now.

     There’s a definite distinction, though. It clearly states “every need of yours.” Many times we confuse what we want or think we need with what we truly need. God defines our needs as follows: “But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” (1 Tim. 6:8). God hasn’t promised riches and wealth in this fallen world, but He has promised to supply “every need of yours” for Christ’s sake.

Jan Blonk
The Devotional Writer

The experience of God’s grace is only found “in Christ.” In order to understand His grace, we have to reject all our own morality and righteousness as the basis of our acceptance with God.

. . . and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.

Philippians 3:9

When we stand on the shores of eternity, about to pass through its waters to the other side, there will only be one issue: am I in Christ? If not, a horrendous doom will befall us. If we’re “in him,” we’ll forever enjoy our infinite God with unimaginable bliss.

     This issue is obviously not only important when we approach the shores of eternity but also right now. Humanity can be divided in two groups: those who are and those who aren’t in Christ. That determines our relationship with God. We’re either fully accepted by the Father or fully rejected by Him.

     What does it mean to be in Christ? How can we be in Him? Those are vital questions. While we can approach them from different angles, all being Biblical, we want to highlight Paul’s mindset regarding this crucial matter. For Paul to be “found in him,” means a rejecting of all his own “righteousness.”

     If anyone could ever boast about his own righteousness, it was Paul: “If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eight day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.” Yet, he counted that all “as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ” (Phil. 3:4-6, 8).

     He rejected all his “morality” in order to receive Jesus’ righteousness. Embracing His righteousness by faith is part of being in Christ. Theologians refer to this as a foreign or imputed righteousness.

     It’s foreign in the sense that it’s not our own, but Christ’s. It’s imputed because God freely deposits it into our account when we believed in Him. The rejection of all our own righteousness is in sharp contrast to every other religion and sect. That’s why we’re saved by grace alone!

Jan Blonk
The Devotional Writer
www.devotionalwriter.com

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