That I May Know Him

Paul writes in Philippians 3:10-11, "That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."


These verses reveal a progression in our walk with the Lord, a journey marked by transformative experiences and deepening faith. Knowing the Lord is a practical experience that encompasses several profound aspects:

Credit: Image by PixelAnarchy from Pixabay

The Power of His Resurrection

The power of His resurrection is the saving power of God that brings us from death to life, turning the old into the new, and certifying us with the seal of redemption. This makes us partakers of the divine nature. Peter captures this beautifully in 2 Peter 1:3-4: "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." This transformative power turns sinners into saints, not by their own making, but by the same power that raised Christ from the dead.


Sharing His Sufferings

This is a further step in the journey of faith. Here, we identify our call to duty and stand for Christ, maturing from babes on milk to those on solid food. We willingly accept that sacrifice is part of the journey, driven not by coercion but by persuasion in our beliefs. Are we truly ready to go all the way for Christ?


Becoming Like Him in His Death

After suffering, there is an inner shift that leads us to rest wholly on Him. We fear no more and say, "Lord, let your will be done." We view others with compassion, dead to our ego and status, desiring that others experience the power of God. Like Jesus said on the cross, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit," we live dead to the world and its lusts. Our old self is nailed to the cross. This experience brings completeness to our brokenness. As Christ said, "It is finished," death becomes the end of all living. We gain victory over sin, becoming dead to sin but alive to God.


Attaining the Resurrection from the Dead

After we have suffered for a little while, He will settle and establish us. This marks the transition from shame to glory. We hope for a transformation from terrestrial to celestial bodies, with the assurance of eternal life in Christ. We desire to be with the Lord and look forward to it every day. This is a return to the first experience man had with God in the Garden of Eden before the fall. It makes the hour of prayer sweet, and the comforting fellowship with the Holy Spirit incomparable. Our faces radiate His glory, the world feels the warmth of heaven through our lives, and our peace and joy surpass understanding. We are indeed on to something beautiful.


Paul's words reflect a progressive walk with the Lord. What state of the walk am I in? What state are you in? It is my prayer that we all make it to the glorious end, in Jesus' name. Amen.



 

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