A Lifelong Goal Worth Pursuing
Someone just asked you, “What’s your goal in life?” What would your answer be? As a follower of Christ, I really believe I need to know the answer to this question. Paul gave his answer to the Philippians:
“My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death…” (Philippians 3:10)
Paul’s goal in life is to know him, to know Jesus. What about Jesus is there to know? Well there’s about an eternity worth of things to know. Let’s break it down.
The power of Jesus’ resurrection? The resurrection of Jesus reverses the curse of death that humanity’s sin brought. The resurrection of Jesus gives us hope and certainty about the future. The resurrection of Jesus takes the sting of death away from those who trust in Jesus because “death is a doorway into resurrection life.” The resurrection of Jesus makes it possible for our sin corrupted and perishable bodies to be made incorruptible and imperishable. Jesus’ resurrection that God is going to make things right. The resurrection of Jesus declares victory over sin and changes our eternity. When we trust in Jesus and we seek to know Him, we will know deeper the power of the resurrection as we experience these truths. Paul’s goal is to know Jesus.
The fellowship of his sufferings? This word “fellowship” indicates sharing and participating in something. What Paul means is to share in Christ’s suffering. Jesus suffered in submitting and living for the Father’s will. Jesus was hated by those who rejected Him. Sharing in Jesus’ suffering happens when we suffer for being obedient to Jesus. Sharing in Jesus’ suffering is when we are persecuted and hated for our allegiance to Christ Jesus. Jesus took on the fullest extent of human suffering for our sake, and yet we know Christ more and deeper when we share in His suffering and we suffer for his sake. Paul’s goal is to know Jesus.
Being conformed to his death? The furthest extent of suffering for Christ is to have the attitude of that of Jesus who was obedient to the point of death, even to death on a cross. Paul’s goal is to be obedient unto death as Christ was. Paul does not want there to be a limit to his willingness to share in Christ’s sufferings. Paul’s goal is to know Jesus.
Paul’s goal is to know Jesus and to know him deeper and deeper by knowing the power of His resurrection, by sharing in suffering, and being obedient unto death as Christ was. Paul did not want to know more information about Jesus, he wanted to know Jesus. He wanted to know Jesus in a relationship and experience.
How does your goal in life relate to Paul’s and how would Paul’s change the way that we live our lives? Join me in wrestling with my heart and considering this truth! Love you church!
Pastor John
