In World of Warcraft, the most popular MMO in gaming history, players are expected to grind to level up their fantasy avatar. That requires killing goblins, slaying bosses, finishing side quests, and raiding dungeons. One player decided that he didn’t want to reach the highest level through any violence or fighting. He slowly leveled up by collecting flowers on the side of the road. It took many (many, many, many) hours to reach the next level, but at least he could brag that he didn’t kill a single bad guy. 

Good behavior and righteousness work hand in hand. If I have a perfect record for following the rules, then I can admit that I am a righteous person. If I break the rules, then I shouldn’t say I am righteous. Things get flipped around when Jesus enters the picture. He makes righteousness like a royal title.

That is why we have Paul, a man who lived and breathed following Jewish rules, deciding he was not one smidgen more righteous for his compliance. He discovered Jesus was freely handing out the title to all believers. Jesus earned that title, and he could gift it to whomever he pleased. When righteousness became an automatic perk of faith in Christ, Paul decided that his daily religious grind was not helping him.

Paul did not say, “I don’t have to follow any rules because of Jesus’ auto-righteousness cheat code,” instead, he could focus on the things that Jesus cared about without worrying about the added nonsense. To bring it back to the World of Warcraft metaphor, many players will derp around a battlefield, doing menial tasks until their character levels up, but they won’t engage in the game’s main story. When Paul received the title of righteousness, he ditched the cumbersome, busy work and went straight for the main quest.

When Jesus is righteous, he gives the title to his believers.

Research: Philippians 3:7-11

Paul explains that he was a zealous rule follower. What comforts did he have from following the rules so closely? Why do you think he made a change to following Jesus for his righteousness needs?

By exchanging his righteous rule following with a relationship with Jesus Christ, what kind of adventures is Paul anticipating (v.10-11)

What should Paul’s attitude be now toward good deeds?
1. Relax, Jesus took care of everything.
2. God will still strike me down if I don’t look busy
3. A healthy balance between those two extremes