I want to know Christ–yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, Philippians 3:10
Knowledge is something that most people are searching for. Search engines are one of the greatest tools on the internet, that are used billions of times every day by people around the world.
People are wanting to know how to do nearly everything and anything. They want to be able to understand nearly everything. One common thing many search for is how to really live a life that is full of purpose.
As Paul talks about the need for faith over works, he points out that he really wants to know Jesus, both his resurrection and his sufferings, so that he may be more like Him.
Churches are filled with people who have placed at least some faith in Jesus. These people want to be saved from their sins and from judgement. While this does save them, many stop right there and don’t go any farther with their walk with God, not really wanting to know the power of the resurrection bringing out a new creation, nor knowing and understanding the sufferings Jesus went through.
The moment suffering starts, most will cry out to God asking for it to be immediately stopped or else they get mad at God and walk away. Instead of embracing suffering for Christ, they turn angry and bitter. During times like this, instead of growing in their faith and becoming more like Jesus, they become more like the world.
Going through suffering for the sake of Jesus, will help a believer grow stronger in his faith in God. He will see God’s hand strengthen and provide for him in ways that could not be seen or learned without suffering. It will make him more like Jesus.
As a believer in Jesus, you must ask yourself what you really want to know about Jesus. It is easy to know the stories of Jesus from the bible, but that does not give the same knowledge as going through the same types of sufferings He did.
To fully understand and appreciate what Jesus did, you must be willing to walk the same path He did. Be willing to lay down your life for others to know Jesus and go through pain and suffering to get the message out.
What do you really want to know?
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know the power of His resurrection; that you will participate in His suffering to spread the gospel message of salvation; and that you will become more like Jesus every day.
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