For God's Glory: May I Know, Suffer and Rise

2.08.2018

May I Know, Suffer and Rise

This week's Fighter Verses are Philippians 3:10 and 11. To gain a better understanding of what these verses mean, here is Philippians 3:7 - 11.

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Verses 10 and 11 show some of the results that come from the realization that what was counted as gain was actually loss, because of Jesus Christ. The three "may" statements in these two verses are very powerful and encouraging.

That I may know him and the power of his resurrection

Paul has a deep, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ which results in righteousness. In this relationship, there is power to overcome sin, obtain victory in this life, and obey the Great Commission for God's glory.

Jesus' resurrection most graphically shows Jesus' power. This resurrection power saved Paul and enabled him to live life.

That I may share his sufferings becoming like him in his death

In this life, we are going to face trouble and suffering. Suffering comes in many different forms (2nd Corinthians 4:8). We are to suffer together (Galatians 6:2). Suffering equips us for ministry (2 Corinthians 1:4). Suffering prepares us for more glory (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). (Taken from www.desiringgod.org)

HERE is the John G. Paton biography I shared on Wednesday. When Paton was challenged with the statement "You will be eaten by cannibals," he responded with the following statement "Mr. Dickson, you are advanced in years now, and your own prospect is soon to be laid in the grave, there to be eaten by worms; I confess to you, that if I can but live and die serving and honoring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by Cannibals or by worms."

That I may attain the resurrection from the dead

The dead in Christ will rise and receive a new body. This future glory impacts the way we live in this world. In verse 20 Paul writes that "our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

Here are some additional resources: