Gospel of Jesus Christ
Philippians and Colossians
Timothy Andrew from the Lord’s Library catalogues, using the King James Version of the Bible and his own commentary, verses and passages from across the New Testament that detail how one is justified and saved via the blood of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:9
To obtain a Philippians 3:9 meaning, see the verse in Scripture: "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:" This verse establishes for us that salvation is not based on religious deeds but on the righteousness of God and received by faith in the Finished Work of Jesus Christ.
Paul importantly contrasts the two kinds of righteousness: "mine own righteousness, which is of the law" and "the righteousness which is of God by faith." The first refers to an attempt to attain salvation through obedience to the law, something Paul himself had admitted to before his conversion.
Earlier in the passage, he lists his religious 'credentials'—his Jewish heritage, strict observance of the law, and his status as a Pharisee—yet he counts it all as "loss for Christ." See Philippians 3:7: "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ." In a related verse, see also Isaiah 64:6: "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."
True righteousness comes "through the faith of Christ"—not by works, imputed, but by faith alone. See Romans 3:21-22: "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:"
As one can see then, justification can only be a gift from God; a free gift. See next Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
The phrase "be found in him" refers to the believer’s position in Christ via faith. When a person believes on the Blood of Jesus, they are spiritually united with Him and His righteousness is imputed to them, amen. See 2 Corinthians 5:21: "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
This exchange shows perfectly the heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: Christ took upon Himself our sin, and in return, we receive His righteousness. He did it all.
Colossians 2:13-14
To gain a Colossians 2:13-14 meaning, see the verses: "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;"
These verses affirm that salvation is by grace through faith in the Finished Work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Paul describes the state of every person before salvation as spiritually dead, incapable of achieving righteousness on their own. See Ephesians 2:1: "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:" Before faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, men are under condemnation.
The phrase "hath he quickened together with him" refers to the eternal life believers receive through Christ. Jesus' resurrection parallels the spiritual rebirth of those who believe in Him. This is entirely a work of God. See Ephesians 2:4-5: "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)"
Salvation is not about human reform but about divine regeneration—being made alive by the Spirit through faith in Christ alone. Jesus Himself declared this in John 5:24: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
The forgiveness of sins is not partial, conditional, or based on worldly merits, but is absolute, and granted to all who believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Psalm 103:12 illustrates this nicely: "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." See this stance confirmed in Acts 13:38-39: "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses."
The law could not bring salvation—only faith in Christ’s Finished Work can.
The law reveals sin but cannot save. See Romans 3:20: "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." The law functions as a record of debt against sinners, declaring them guilty before a holy God. Yet through Christ’s work on the Cross, this is erased.
See next Galatians 3:13: "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:" As one can see, Jesus took the punishment that the law demanded, fulfilling it completely on behalf of those who believe in Him.
People in the ancient world would mark a fully paid debt as "canceled" or nail it to a post to show it was settled. Similarly, Jesus himself nailed the full record of sin and its legal demands to the cross, showing the penalty was fully satisfied.
See also Isaiah 53:5: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." His suffering, death, and resurrection (according to the Scriptures) secured salvation for mankind, removing the condemnation that once stood against believers.
This passage in Colossians is a key, definitive statement of the sufficiency of Christ’s Blood Atonement. Through the cross, God dealt with sin and offered salvation to all who believe the Good News. See Romans 8:1: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
Because Christ fully paid the debt of sin, believers are no longer under condemnation but stand justified before a Holy God. Therefore, justification can only be by faith alone. We leave you with Romans 5:1: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"
Timothy Andrew is the founder of Lord’s Library. He believes the Bible commands us to minister “as of the ability which God giveth” (1 Peter 4:11). Tim aspires to be as The Lord’s mouth by “taking forth the precious from the vile” (Jeremiah 15:19) and witnessing The Gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15: 1-4) to the whole world.