I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his suffering, becoming like him in his death. Phi. 3:10
We know that there is a Holy God who created all things and demands holiness from His creatures. This God revealed Himself in and through His Son, Jesus Christ (Jesus = Savior; Christ = Anointed One).
So, Paul’s passion is to know Christ experientially and not just intellectually. He longed to experience in his own life the mighty power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead. If he had that power, he would have victory over sin, death, and every shortcoming of humanity.
Remarkably Paul also longed to participate in the sufferings of Christ. When we suffer as Christ did, we will also reign with Him. But some teach that a Christian who suffers lacks faith or is living in sin. Such teaching is falsehood. Suffering helps to perfect us to become more like Christ. Therefore, if we will follow Paul’s example, we must put our desires to know Christ above everything else in our lives.
