That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death. Phil 3:10
As we neared the day of recognizing the resurrection of Christ, this topic was laid on my heart and initially, it was for Good Friday’s Morning Love. As the day progressed, I realized that I would not be able to write that morning. During the weekend, I still had a strong urge to write about the resurrection power; it would not leave my spirit. I realized that today, the topic is apropos and more befitting because the power that we attain, came after that glorious resurrection (Acts 1:8).
Paul, having been converted by that power, let it be known to the Philippians that he put no confidence in his flesh; he didn’t go around doing things in his own power or in self, because he had already done those things before knowing the power of God and before knowing who God was personally, and definitely before having a relationship with him. He said what he had done for his own gain, did not benefit Christ in any way. He counted everything else he knew and learned to be as nothing in order to strive for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ. He told them he wanted to know the resurrected Christ and experience the power that came with the resurrection; also the knowledge, the strength, and the authority that raised him from the dead. He said that he wanted to suffer or endure with him, sharing in that fellowship, sharing in the experience of that suffering by being made conformable to Christ's death. Meaning, that when we die to sin and we die to the world, we are essentially doing the same as Christ, as He died for our sins by the cross. Paul said that he was willing to do or to suffer any thing for Christ’s sake. He exhorts them to do the same and know this Christ for themselves; get to know this power and live your lives, as He had.
I saw verse 10 explained this way: [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] (Amplified). I love how this reads!
They tell me that “Knowledge is power”, so, it would stand to reason that if I seek to obtain the knowledge of Christ, then it would change the way I view His power and how that power applies to my life. I would have to be conformable (to be similar in form and shape) and be in agreement with the cause of the cross in order to attain this great power and by becoming what Christ would have me to be (II Cor 5:17). However, more importantly, my goal is to learn how to live in that power, and use that power for God’s glory; because it’s not about me, but the Christ that lives in me.
We sing and talk about how He got up with all power in His hands, well that is the same power He has given to us; power to live right, power to walk right, power to talk right and power to serve right. Peter says, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue (II Peter 1:3). Remember what I said earlier about knowledge being power? Our knowledge of Christ and His righteousness empowers us with what’s needed for life and to live godly in this present world. Knowledge and power which is found in the word, will change the way you think, live, breathe, move, act, and react... know it and know some resurrection power!
Until the morning, be blessed!
Cynde
As we neared the day of recognizing the resurrection of Christ, this topic was laid on my heart and initially, it was for Good Friday’s Morning Love. As the day progressed, I realized that I would not be able to write that morning. During the weekend, I still had a strong urge to write about the resurrection power; it would not leave my spirit. I realized that today, the topic is apropos and more befitting because the power that we attain, came after that glorious resurrection (Acts 1:8).
Paul, having been converted by that power, let it be known to the Philippians that he put no confidence in his flesh; he didn’t go around doing things in his own power or in self, because he had already done those things before knowing the power of God and before knowing who God was personally, and definitely before having a relationship with him. He said what he had done for his own gain, did not benefit Christ in any way. He counted everything else he knew and learned to be as nothing in order to strive for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ. He told them he wanted to know the resurrected Christ and experience the power that came with the resurrection; also the knowledge, the strength, and the authority that raised him from the dead. He said that he wanted to suffer or endure with him, sharing in that fellowship, sharing in the experience of that suffering by being made conformable to Christ's death. Meaning, that when we die to sin and we die to the world, we are essentially doing the same as Christ, as He died for our sins by the cross. Paul said that he was willing to do or to suffer any thing for Christ’s sake. He exhorts them to do the same and know this Christ for themselves; get to know this power and live your lives, as He had.
I saw verse 10 explained this way: [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] (Amplified). I love how this reads!
They tell me that “Knowledge is power”, so, it would stand to reason that if I seek to obtain the knowledge of Christ, then it would change the way I view His power and how that power applies to my life. I would have to be conformable (to be similar in form and shape) and be in agreement with the cause of the cross in order to attain this great power and by becoming what Christ would have me to be (II Cor 5:17). However, more importantly, my goal is to learn how to live in that power, and use that power for God’s glory; because it’s not about me, but the Christ that lives in me.
We sing and talk about how He got up with all power in His hands, well that is the same power He has given to us; power to live right, power to walk right, power to talk right and power to serve right. Peter says, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue (II Peter 1:3). Remember what I said earlier about knowledge being power? Our knowledge of Christ and His righteousness empowers us with what’s needed for life and to live godly in this present world. Knowledge and power which is found in the word, will change the way you think, live, breathe, move, act, and react... know it and know some resurrection power!
Until the morning, be blessed!
Cynde
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