Lesson One - Exploring Grace Section 3

Philippians 3:1-14
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.

Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reasons for such confidence.

If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, 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 and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

In Philippians 3:1-14 Paul contrasts the attitude of legalism with a true understanding of the transforming grace of God. In the following chart, contrast a legalist trying to earn God's favor and a person trusting in God's grace.

Basis of a relationship with God
Feelings toward God
Motivation for Good behavior
Reason for feeling bad about failures
Treatment of others who have fallen short
Basis of strength during trials
Basis of strength to serve the Lord

So... I didn't understand the chart. But I think the main difference between Legalists and a person trusting in Grace is that once you have accepted that you aren't enough you can base your relationship with God and your service of him as Love for him and Joy in him. There are no ulterior motives and no false pride. When you try to legitimize your relationship with God by doing "good works" it becomes all about you and not about HIM. But really, it is all about HIM. Additionally, once you give it over to Him, you are no longer motivated by fear like you would be if you were trying to do enough to earn his favor and failing.