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. (Philippians 3:10-12 NIV)
God, twice last week I heard someone talk about this passage of scripture, so I decided I’d better give it another look. But as I look at it, I don’t know that I get it.
Read it again in different versions, Child.
OK: “And I continually long to know the wonders of Jesus and to experience the overflowing power of his resurrection working in me. I will be one with him in his sufferings and become like him in his death. Only then will I be able to experience complete oneness with him in his resurrection from the realm of death. I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing, but I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose for which Christ Jesus laid hold of me to make me his own.” (TPT)
“…That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already grasped it all or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus.” (NASB)
Good, Child. Now make a list of the phrases that jump out at you.
1) “participation in his sufferings”
2) “one with him in his sufferings and become like him in his death”
3) “fellowship of His sufferings”
Those are pretty heavy phrases to you, aren’t they?
Yes, Lord. I don’t want to suffer. I don’t understand how to fellowship with Jesus in his sufferings. I don’t understand how to become like him in his death.
The dying I ask of you is different than the dying I asked of him. He died in all ways – physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, relational – in order that, through the power of his resurrection, you could have life. Your life comes not through the same kind of dying, but through the dying of yourself.
I’m not very good at that, am I, God?
Your will and emotions – your flesh – haven’t quite surrendered to what your theology – or my Truth – says.
I know.
Why do you think Jesus was willing to surrender everything – and I mean EVERYTHING?
Because of Love for us.
Yes, because of Love for each human. And that does include YOU. We love you.
So, surrendering and participating in suffering comes from a response to Love?
Yes, at least in part. You see in part, but not in whole. Trust me for the whole. Now go read the last part of those verses and tell me what jumps out at you.
1) “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me”
2) “I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing, but I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose for which Christ Jesus laid hold of me to make me his own”
3) “Not that I have already grasped it all…”
4) “I press on if I may also take hold of that for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus”
What do you see, Child?
“Take hold of what Christ Jesus has for me,” and, “Press on and run with passion into Christ’s abundance.”
Good! The Abundance we offer you is yours, secured through Jesus’s death and resurrection. Press in to it! Press on to take it! Seek first my Kingdom and all things will be added on to you.
What about suffering?
Sometimes for a season what you take hold of will be suffering. But there is beauty and abundance even in that suffering.
OK, if you say so.
Trust me. Child, what one word in the above jumps out?
“Hold.”
Yes. There is more I want to teach you about “hold.” But for now: Hold on to your hope. Hold on to my promises. Hold on to my faithfulness. Take hold of all the abundance I have for you. Take hold of all my hopes and dreams for your good future. Trust me. I am good.
Thank you, Abba.
AMEN.
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I also have been fully known. (1 Corinthians 3:12 NASB)
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you. (Matthew 6:33 NASB)