The Vision (4.10.26): To Know Christ

Image: Some CRBC young men after church last Sunday (4.5.26).

Note: Devotion taken from last Sunday's sermon on Philippians 3:7-12.

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Phil 3:10).

In Philippians 3:10 Paul declares his desire to know three things: first, Christ Himself; second, the power of his resurrection; and third, the fellowship of his sufferings.

First, he says, “That I may know him.”

This refers to personal knowledge, belief, and trust in Christ. It is not merely to know facts about Christ, but experientially to encounter the person of Christ.

There is an old gospel hymn titled “He lives.” In the chorus it says, “You ask me how I know He lives. He lives within my heart.” Head knowledge is important, but it is not enough for salvation. One must have heart knowledge of Christ.

One of the old Protestant commentators wrote: “There is an example of knowing about honey on the basis of it having been described by others as opposed to knowing it on the basis of tasting it ourselves” (Zanchi, Commentary on Philippians, 537). We must taste Christ for ourselves (Psalm 34:8).

Second, “and the power of his resurrection.”

Paul’s reference to knowing the power of the resurrection necessarily includes both the cross and the resurrection. If Christ had not suffered, and bled, and died upon the cross there would have been no resurrection.

This is an acknowledgement of the fact that the life changing power of salvation comes through the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Here is how Zanchi put it: “For by his death, he carried off all evil, sin, and the wages of sin, death. But by the resurrection, He brought in all good, true righteousness, and eternal life” (Commentary on Philippians, 539).

This means we identify with Christ in his death and acknowledge the benefits that come to us through his cross, and we identify with Christ in his resurrection and acknowledge the benefits that come to us through his resurrection (see Rom 6:4).

Third, “and the fellowship [koinonia] of his sufferings, being made conformable to his death.”

This recalls Galatians 2:20 where Paul wrote, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.”

Remember, Paul wrote this letter from a prison cell. He would eventually die a violent death as a martyr. This is not talking into the air for Paul. He desires to know even the sufferings of Christ that began when the Lord Jesus Christ first called upon him to deny himself, to take up his cross daily, and to follow him (cf. Luke 9:23).

Paul’s steps led down a cruciform path that entailed much suffering, but the apostle could refer to this as only a “light affliction” compared to the “weight of glory” that would one day be revealed in him at Christ’s coming (2 Cor 4:17).

In this life, Paul wanted to know Christ, to know the power of his saving death and resurrection, and to have the privilege of following and serving him no matter what the cost.

May we too desire to know these things.

Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle