rjones
Member
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2007
- Messages
- 314
In Philippians 3:10-11, Paul writes "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead".
This was the simple plea of Paul’s heart. It should also be our simple plea as well.
To know Jesus is not the same as knowing His historical life; it is not the same as knowing correct doctrines regarding Jesus; it is not the same as knowing His moral example, and it is not the same as knowing His great work on our behalf.
We can say that we know someone because we recognize them; because we can distinguish what is different about them compared to other people.
We can say that we know someone because we are acquainted with what they do; we know the baker because we get our bread from him.
We can say that we know someone because we actually converse with them; we are on speaking terms with that person.
We can say that we know someone because we spend time in their house and with their family.
We can say that we know someone because we have committed our life to them and live with them every day, sharing every circumstance as in a marriage.
Yet beyond all this, there is a way of know Jesus Christ that includes all of these yet goes beyond them.
Charles Spurgeon wrote "“They tell me he is a refiner, that he cleanses from spots; he has washed me in his precious blood, and to that extent I know him. They tell me that he clothes the naked; he bath covered me with a garment of righteousness, and to that extent I know him. They tell me that he is a breaker, and that he breaks fetters, he has set my soul at liberty, and therefore I know him. They tell me that he is a king and that he reigns over sin; he bath subdued my enemies beneath his feet, and I know him in that character. They tell me he is a shepherd: I know him for I am his sheep. They say he is a door: I have entered in through him, and I know him as a door. They say he is food: my spirit feeds on him as on the bread of heaven, and, therefore, I know him as such.”
Knowing Jesus means knowing this resurrection power, the new life that is imparted to us now, not when we die. As Christians, we should desire to experience the same power that raised Christ from the dead surging through our own being enabling us to overcoming sin in our lives and producing the Christian graces.
The power of His resurrection is an evidencing power. It is the evidence and seal that everything Jesus did and said was true.
The power of His resurrection is a justifying power. It is the receipt and proof that the sacrifice of the cross was accepted as payment in full.
The power of His resurrection is a life-giving power. It means that those who are connected with Jesus Christ receive the same resurrection life.
The power of His resurrection is a consoling and comforting power. It promises that our friends and loved ones who are dead in Christ live with Him.
Knowing Jesus also means knowing this fellowship of His sufferings. It is all part of following Jesus and being in Christ. We can say that suffering is part of our heritage as the children of God; we get to be part of the family of suffering: If children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together (Rom. 8:17).
This was the simple plea of Paul’s heart. It should also be our simple plea as well.
To know Jesus is not the same as knowing His historical life; it is not the same as knowing correct doctrines regarding Jesus; it is not the same as knowing His moral example, and it is not the same as knowing His great work on our behalf.
We can say that we know someone because we recognize them; because we can distinguish what is different about them compared to other people.
We can say that we know someone because we are acquainted with what they do; we know the baker because we get our bread from him.
We can say that we know someone because we actually converse with them; we are on speaking terms with that person.
We can say that we know someone because we spend time in their house and with their family.
We can say that we know someone because we have committed our life to them and live with them every day, sharing every circumstance as in a marriage.
Yet beyond all this, there is a way of know Jesus Christ that includes all of these yet goes beyond them.
Charles Spurgeon wrote "“They tell me he is a refiner, that he cleanses from spots; he has washed me in his precious blood, and to that extent I know him. They tell me that he clothes the naked; he bath covered me with a garment of righteousness, and to that extent I know him. They tell me that he is a breaker, and that he breaks fetters, he has set my soul at liberty, and therefore I know him. They tell me that he is a king and that he reigns over sin; he bath subdued my enemies beneath his feet, and I know him in that character. They tell me he is a shepherd: I know him for I am his sheep. They say he is a door: I have entered in through him, and I know him as a door. They say he is food: my spirit feeds on him as on the bread of heaven, and, therefore, I know him as such.”
Knowing Jesus means knowing this resurrection power, the new life that is imparted to us now, not when we die. As Christians, we should desire to experience the same power that raised Christ from the dead surging through our own being enabling us to overcoming sin in our lives and producing the Christian graces.
The power of His resurrection is an evidencing power. It is the evidence and seal that everything Jesus did and said was true.
The power of His resurrection is a justifying power. It is the receipt and proof that the sacrifice of the cross was accepted as payment in full.
The power of His resurrection is a life-giving power. It means that those who are connected with Jesus Christ receive the same resurrection life.
The power of His resurrection is a consoling and comforting power. It promises that our friends and loved ones who are dead in Christ live with Him.
Knowing Jesus also means knowing this fellowship of His sufferings. It is all part of following Jesus and being in Christ. We can say that suffering is part of our heritage as the children of God; we get to be part of the family of suffering: If children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together (Rom. 8:17).
