How about attaining the resurrection out from among the dead, the resurrection of the priesthood that the Apostle Paul was seeking? Do we attain the first resurrection by believing and praising God, or is there more to this?

Let us think about Paul's goal, which is one of the primary elements of the whole goal of our salvation:

Here is a clear statement of one of the objectives of our salvation—to attain the resurrection which is out from among the dead.

The surrounding verses inform us that Paul was actively seeking the out-resurrection. He was not just believing and praising God, he was pressing toward the mark in order that he might lay hold on that for which God had laid hold on him.

Just look at the vigor and intensity of the aged apostle!

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. (Philippians 3:8,9—NIV)

By seeking the righteousness that is by faith Paul does not mean he is doing nothing but believing. The third chapter of Philippians indicates that Paul had turned aside from the Law of Moses and no longer was seeking righteousness through the Law. This is what Paul means by "not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law."

The righteousness that is by faith, that Paul desired, is that which has no confidence in the Law of Moses but casts all other achievements aside, counting them as garbage, until the worshiper is living by the power of Christ's resurrection and sharing in His sufferings.

This passage from Philippians assuredly is not referring to a passive believe-praise attitude but a most vigorous pressing forward in Christ each day until the old sinful nature no longer governs the believer but a new righteous creation has emerged. Thus the early resurrection is attained by the most diligent application to seeking the Person and Life of Jesus Christ.

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. (Philippians 3:13,14—NIV)

The current doctrine that all we are to do is to praise and believe is a half-truth. A half-truth is a total lie. Half-truths have as their purpose to deceive.

An individual may find immediate relief by coming to Christ with this attitude. But it will prove to be a temporary solution, because it is not the scriptural orientation to the Christian salvation.

To be continued.