To know the power of his resurrection ...

---

I want to know Christ — yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, 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 3:10-14 NLT

---

This passage is so full that I thought that I would take two days to share about it. The first thing that I see in it is the partnership between power and suffering. In these verses Paul indicates that there is no opportunity for resurrection power apart from the type of suffering that Christ experienced on the cross. It makes you wonder why any of us would desire "to know the power of his resurrection". Knowing that, how many if us would sign up for that power?

Even more interesting is that Paul considers that he has not laid hold of this resurrection power. The one who sits imprisoned for proclaiming Christ feels that he is lacking. The one who has been beaten countless times for his faith feels that he must still press on for a power that he does not possess. Does this not humble every part of you? Knowing this, can you ever feel good about your spiritual progress? I cannot but I can, with Paul, press on toward the goal.

Help us to become like you Lord. Help us to know your resurrection power in our sufferings.

---