The Mind and Heart of the Apostle Paul

Philippians 3:10 “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.”

Paul’s letter to the Philippians is incredibly personal. Because of all that Christ has done and provided to the one who was passionate about destroying Christianity Paul now wants to know Him, know Him personally and experientially.   This is the passion of Paul’s mind and heart.

That I may know…. What is it that you want to know? 

That I may know…. Who is it that you want to know?  

As we go deeper I must say that Philippians 3:10 is one of those verses that stands out like a brilliant sunset over the Gulf of Mexico as it is difficult to put into words.  What the apostle Paul wanted to know of Christ is so powerful and so beautiful yet hard to truly describe.   

He wanted to know the power of His resurrection.  One may ponder that phrase for hours and not come close to comprehending all that is there.  One thing is for sure to know the resurrection of Christ is the most hopeful information we have.  With the certainty of death (unless the rapture happens first) we can look at that frightful event with hope.  “Our great Redeemer has burst the bands of death; has brought life and immortality to light, and has given us the pledge that our bodies shall rise.” (Barnes)  What is there to dread with death when we have such a promise?  

And then Paul wanted to know the fellowship of His sufferings.  His mind and heart were not on worldly fame and earthly possessions but on participating in suffering as Christ had suffered.  Paul, in Colossians 1:24, rejoiced in his sufferings.  Peter wrote to believers to rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.  (1 Peter 4:13)  Paul so wanted to participate in the suffering of Christ that we wanted to be conformed to His death.  In other words, he was willing to live and to die for Christ. 

There is no doubt that Philippians 3:10 is a beautiful verse.  It is easy to quote and desire “that I may know Him.”  To know the power of His resurrection does give us tremendous hope.  However, this is a very challenging verse. Can we say we want to know the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death? 

What is your mind and heart desiring?  What do you want to know?  Who do you want to know? 

A March to Remember

For March 10, let us remember Romans 5:10.  Romans 5:10 says, “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

On March 10 we encourage you to read Matthew 10 and John 10 to recall our Lord’s work and who He is.  You can find the Bible reading plan on the Date the Word app.

Continue Strong this March Remembering our Savior,
And remember to DATE the Word