(Phil 3:10-11) that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Don’t you wish you had constant energy, every day and all throughout the day to do all you are called to do in life? But we seem to constantly be sluggish, lugging our bodies around like a box of bowling balls tied to our feet. We are like a video that only works in slow motion or like the person trying to run in water. Very rare is the day in which we feel indefatigable, slaying giants on the right and left and checking off our entire “To Do” list. So, is there any hope for the weary who is leery of the theory that you can be cheery and get in gear(y)? (oh, that’s bad! But at least it rhymes!!)
Paul wanted to know the Lord. What a great goal of the Christian life. Not just know about the Lord but really know Him. To have Him in the very center of the heart and life. To be intimately acquainted with Him in true love. That this relationship would far surpass any love or lovers or friendships. (Eph 3:17-19) that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Then Paul said he wanted to know the power of His resurrection. That’s a lot of power! Just think of it. How many people can raise themselves from the dead? (John 10:18) No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” That resurrection power of Christ is now available to the believer. (Eph 1:19-20) and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places. Now we have power over sin and temptation. (Rom 6:14) For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. We also have power to endure trials and so get the victory and reward. (James 1:12) Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
But is that all there is to the Christian life? Is it always flying high and never struggling? The way some preachers preach you would think that you always have to be up. That it’s a sin to be down and depressed. After their message you walk away feeling guilty that you’re not climbing up the stairway to heaven to be permanently enshrined in the Arch of Triumph of the Christian faith.
I think Paul had something else in mind because after he spoke of the power of His resurrection, he spoke of the fellowship of Christ’s suffering. This means you have power to not only be up but also to be down! You have power through the resurrection of Christ to face your problems and to be an overcomer. Like Jesus when He went and climbed the hill to the cross! That it’s okay to be up, and it’s okay to be down. Down doesn’t mean defeated. It means you are there in the valley of the battle with all you need in Christ to fight and win! Now that’s true power. You don’t need power when you’re up. You need power when you’re down! God gives the recharge you need to keep at it and be victorious. The outcome is you will not only be conformed to His death but you will also attain to the resurrection of the dead. (2 Cor 4:11) For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. RESURRECTION POWER! Now it’ time to get in gear(y)! Sorry, had to do it!!
Louie