Death Leads to Resurrection
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:10,11 NIV
In Philippians 2, Paul brings into focus the humble obedience of Christ. This allowed him to surrender his status and equality with God and die on the cross, but was resurrected and given a name above all names. Paul’s use of Christ’s example is not only to encourage the focus on others, but to confront those who would cling to their status and obedience to the law as a form of righteousness.
Paul’s response is to say, “If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more…” (Philippians 3:4 NIV) After listing all of his human achievements and spiritual credentials he concludes, “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…” (Philippians 3:7,8 NIV)
For Paul, human achievement was “garbage” – knowing Christ was everything. His desire, his focus was to know Christ in all of His fullness to share in His sufferings, to be “like him in his death” and to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Paul realized that death precedes resurrection. The great hope and faith of those who trust in Christ is “resurrection.” Paul wrote about the resurrection of believers when he wrote to the Thessalonians, “With a loud command and with the shout of the chief angel and a blast of God’s trumpet, the Lord will return from heaven. Then those who had faith in Christ before they died will be raised to life.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16 CEV) To the Corinthians he said,  “….we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.” (2 Corinthians 4:14 NIV) “But Christ has been raised to life! And he makes us certain that others will also be raised to life.” (1 Corinthians 15:20 NIV)
Paul also realized that death to self, preceded living a resurrected life and fully knowing Christ. Paul’s singular focus was expressed in his desire, “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13,14 NIV)
Resurrection is an important part of our faith in Christ. But it is not only a future hope, we are called to live a “resurrected life” as we fervently obey and follow Christ’s example.
Prayer for today…Â Lord, thank You for the hope and reality of resurrection. May our desire and focus be that of Paul’s whose earnest desire was to know you in Your fullness.Â