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We studied a passage from Philippians 3 in Sunday school class recently, and several things stood out to me that I thought I’d share:
- (verse 8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ. What have I lost for the cause of Christ? If I have not lost something for the sake of Christ – be it a possession, or my reputation, or my cushy lifestyle, or a desire for worldly advancement – I need to seriously consider whether or not I am truly following Christ. The Scripture makes it very plain that those who are disciples will suffer (1 Peter 4:12-16), and we actually need to rejoice in those sufferings because they mean we are counted worthy to stand with Christ! Too often, I find myself trying to blend in with the world so I can suffer as little as possible, but that’s not God’s way.
- (verse 10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; We are to know (experience) two things: the power of Christ’s resurrection by which the whole redemptive story of God from the beginning of time was fulfilled and the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings. You can’t have one without the other, and I love the way that is portrayed in this verse. We all want to experience the power through Christ over sin, temptation, Satan, and death, but few of us embrace the suffering that comes with it. But you know what? When you are following Christ as a passionate disciple, the suffering is no longer pain but joy. This is a paradox that only a Christian can understand, but how blessed we are and how at rest when we can truly grasp the parallel nature of power and suffering!
- (verse 15) Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. I’ve heard that in this verse, the word “perfect” could also be translated “mature”. To me, what this verse is saying (when taken in context with the rest of the passage) is that as we grow and mature in Christ, our focus is to be on pressing toward the mark of knowing God, the power of Christ’s resurrection, and the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings (verse 10). Any part of us that is not bent on this goal, God will convict us of and point out to us where we need to change. Isn’t that such a beautiful thought? I’m so thankful I have a God Who is faithful to point out my shortcomings! I experienced this verse in a very personal way recently. I have a habit of letting myself get too wrapped up in my blog (and calling it my blog instead of God’s blog). I got to a point where I spent way too much time and energy on blogging to the extent that I was getting wrapped up in myself and my agendas instead of reaching out to the people around me. So God took my computer away. For several weeks, I was without a computer and had to rely on the generosity of others to fulfill my blogging obligations. I found out in a hurry that a) I was spending a lot of time on blogging that could be better spent elsewhere and b) that I could blog in much less time than I thought I could. Doing without my computer forced me to take my focus off of blogging and put it back where it needed to be, and I feel like my priorities are much more balanced now. I’m so thankful that God cared enough about me to take the drastic measures I needed in order to wake up to my problem.
Do you have a favorite verse from this chapter? Has God had to take drastic measures to reveal a problem to you that you needed to work on? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below! (If you’re viewing this as an email, you’ll need to view the post in your browser in order to be able to comment.) These spiritual posts have been a real blessing to me, not only in writing them but in hearing the thoughts of my readers on matters more important than funky recipes. *wink*
Melissa says
I came here looking for some THM recipes and I found treasures like this! Thank you.
Sue says
Oh, I only just saw this beautiful post while I was admiring the unique photo of mum and baby. How could I have missed all this ? What you ladies are experiencing is so true and precious. I remember earnestly praying years ago the words of Philippians 3:10 – NOT KNOWING WHAT I REALLY WAS ASKING ! God, in His mercy, did not give me a taste of His sufferings until many years later. That was grueling enough ! “Drastic measures” did you say ?!!! But He knows how much we can bear. Praise His Name ! I think I have only just realized that that huge trial that suddenly hit me years ago, out of the blue, probably came as a (delayed) response to that prayer of years before. Thank you Cheryl for being His instrument to put those jigsaw pieces together.
For a long time I’ve felt concern about our Western (world) easy-believism. We just ‘believe’, ask for what we want, and ‘hey presto’ we’re on our way to Heaven with all our earthly needs met. But as we ”mature”, as you say, Briana, we find out that HE is Lord, not us. Philippians 3:18-20 are standout verses to me from this chapter. Paul was weeping over the ‘easy-believers’ of his day, knowing that their end would be “destruction” if they did not repent of living selfish lives focused on earthly things. He reminds us that “our citizenship is in the heavens”. With that focus, any sufferings in this life look small and worth it for eternity. Hallelujah !!!
Briana Thomas says
Thanks for sharing, Sue!
Cheryl Smith says
I dearly love this passage, too. I think the part I love most, if I had to choose just one part, is this phrase…”That I may KNOW Him…” Oh, to KNOW Christ! In 2011, my new year’s resolution was just that. To know…I mean REALLY know Jesus Christ. Even though I have walked with Jesus for nearly all my life, having gotten saved at the age of 10, I just had this overwhelming longing to really KNOW Him better…more intimately. I stood, in tears, and proclaimed my desire, during a church service. Oh, dear friend! What followed has been some of the most fiery trials, spiritual warfare, and intense battles of our lives! One day, while driving down the road, in tears, from a particularly heavy part of the trials, Jesus spoke to me…”NOW, do you know Me?”, He asked. And He took my mind back to my intense desire to really know Him, and He showed me that in order to come to know Him better, I would be led through a tiny portion of His feelings and what He went through. Not that we will EVER know or comprehend all He suffered, but He allows us to experience certain parts and aspects of that suffering, in order for us to come to know Him better and more intimately. There is SO much good in this passage…as well as in ALL of His Word! Thank you for sharing what He laid upon your heart. I applaud you for your quick adjustment to anything He shows you to do, and it is such a blessing to see your prompt obedience. I think often of the verse that says something like “in the day of prosperity, rejoice, but in the day of adversity, consider”. Any time He allows us to walk through these difficulties, I believe there is always a Divine purpose, and He is wanting to open our eyes to something. Thank you for being so intent on minding Him. You are such a shining light, my friend. God bless you!
Briana Thomas says
Well said, Cheryl, and thank you for sharing your experience! It’s amazing how quick God is to give us exactly what we ask. We ask for patience, and He gives us opportunities to use patience. We ask to know Him, and He gives us opportunities to hold onto Him closely. The hard part is getting beyond ourselves so we can clearly see that He really is giving us exactly what we wanted, and it’s a GOOD thing! Being able to surrender and truly rejoice in the suffering is my goal, and I can tell it is yours as well. God bless you, sweet sister!
Nila Diebold says
It is so refreshing to read your Blog, I see I’m not alone in trying to have a closer walk with my Savior. You are in my prayers, we need a world of people like you. God Bless You. Nila
Briana Thomas says
Thank you so much for the sweet comment, Nila! It’s so refreshing to hear from other believers.