HELEN SANDERS
6-28-2024
THAT I MAY KNOW HIM
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In Philippians 3 Paul speaks of his heritage and his position before he met Christ. He had gained the reputation as being a “somebody” within the Jewish circle. He had the best education, a prominent position in leadership, and much more. In verse 7 he said, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.”
Nothing he had in material things or reputation meant anything to Paul. He looked at them as rubbish. The only thing that mattered to him was Jesus Christ.
In Philippians 3:10 he said, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.”
Paul’s passion was to know Jesus and what he went through for him. He understood the power of the resurrection and that power now dwelled in him. He knew he would suffer because Jesus suffered. He knew his life would be a life of sacrifice because of the sacrifice of Jesus for him. He gave everything he had to further the gospel.
When we come to the point that Paul came to, then everything but Jesus has no value. Our position as Christians, our personal relationships with friends and family, our reputation, our money, our home, belongings, and everything else mean nothing without Jesus. This should be our passion too. Jesus went through it all for us so we would see that this life’s value is determined by what we do for the Lord.
When we have that kind of passion, then we can honestly say, “I know him.”
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