Righteousness through Faith in Christ
(Romans 3:21–31)

1Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you indeed is not burdensome to me, but it is safe to you.

2Beware of dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the counterfeit circumcision. 3For we are the circumcision, who serve the Spirit of God, and boast in Christ Jesus, also having no confidence in the flesh: 4even though also having confidence in the flesh. If any other one seems to have confidence in the flesh, I the more: 5in circumcision the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6in reference to zeal, persecuting the church, according to righteousness which was in the law being blameless.

7Those things which were gained to me, these I counted loss for the sake of Christ. 8Yes truly, I even counted all things loss on account of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for the sake of whom I suffer the loss of all things, and I consider them but excrements, that I may gain Christ, 9and may be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of law, but that which is through faith of Christ, the righteousness of God through faith: 10to know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11if perchance I may attain unto the resurrection which is out from the dead.

Pressing on toward the Goal

12Not that I already received it, or have already been made perfect: but I persevere, if I may receive that for which I have indeed been received by Christ Jesus. 13Brethren, I do not consider that I have yet received it; 14but there is one thing, indeed forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those which are before, I press toward the goal unto the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15Therefore let us, so many as are perfect, think the same thing: and if you think otherwise in any respect, God will also reveal this to you: 16only, whereunto we have already attained, to walk by the same rule.

Citizenship in Heaven

17Be ye my imitators, brethren, and mark those thus walking about as you have us an example. 18For many walk about, of whom I frequently spoke to you, and now I speak even weeping, the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19whose end is destruction, whose God is their stomach, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. 20For our citizenship is in the heavens; whence we are indeed looking for our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21who will transform the body of our humility, similitudinous to the body of his own glory, according to the energy by which he is able indeed to subdue all things to himself.