Overcoming ‘Self Sufficiency’ Robert Schaetzle
“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, based on law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith” Philippians 3:7-9 RSV
Our ‘new birth’ involves learning to let go of the old self and see ourselves as a new creation in Christ. A process of learning, and growing in the faith, until we rely solely on Jesus righteousness by faith. Even after three years with our Lord, the Apostles faith was found wanting, as Peter, denied Jesus three times on the night He was betrayed.
The life we live as a believer will be shaky if we try to depend on Jesus plus our own self-sufficiency. On the other hand, it will be unshakeable if it is based solely on His righteousness by faith that leads us to reign in life. We’re to be living and exhibiting a life with Christ’s righteousness as the center of our faith. We walk the narrow path he leads us on, taking our eyes off self and fixing them on Jesus, the author, and perfecter of our faith. Hooked up to the vine that is Jesus, we grow into the character He created us to be.
How bountiful the fruit becomes in our life when we are established in His righteousness like the Apostle Paul.
For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Rom 5:17 KJV
Robert lives in Sunnyvale, Ca and serves in a ‘Sharing & Caring Ministry. Contact | 
