Apprehending an Anointed Ambition - Part Two
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” Philippians 3:10 (KJV)
As I mentioned in last week’s blog, this is “money time” in the National Football League (NFL). After this weekend, we will have four teams continuing the ambitious pursuit of the goal to advance to the Super Bowl. Just as there are four quarters (15 minutes each) played in a NFL game, I give you four God-centered goals for 2018 based on Philippians 3:10.
1 PERSONALLY KNOW HIM
2 POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION
3 PERSONALIZE THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERING
4 PRODUCE THE PATTERN HIS DEATH
For today’s blog, we will focus on the first two goals.
Personally Know Him.
What do I mean by “personally know Him”? Paul already knew Christ as his Savior, but he wanted to know Him more intimately as his Lord. The phrase “to know” in Philippians 3:10 means “to know by experience”. I submit to you the goal of which Paul speaks is to experience Jesus relationally, responsibly, resolutely and reverently.
Relationally, I recognize and realize that roping myself into religious rules or remaining tied to traditions does not develop deep devotion to Jesus. A relationship represents a deliberate desire to relate with Him not with just historical facts or traditions but intellectually, spiritually and emotionally as well as physically (i.e. lifting my hands in worship and prayer and kneeling before His face). I laugh with what He would laugh at. I love what He loves and loath what He loathes. I lift what he would lift (in both prioritizing and praise) and leave what He would leave.
I conduct myself responsively to His service as well as in my witness or Christian testimony to the world; especially when it comes to His will in my life.
We purpose to be resolute and unmoving in His truth and firm in our faith and not remain fixated in our feelings. When we exercised reverence, we are consistently conscience of the Lord’s presence and His position on things in our lives. We are more deliberate in respecting His will over our own. This behavior of reverence for the Lord walks us into wisdom.
Power of His Resurrection.
Only believers have experience and can exercise the power of His resurrection. To experience the power of His resurrection was also the Apostle Paul’s goal. According to Scripture, the power which brought Christ forth from the dead now operates in believers’ lives since they have been “raised with Christ”.
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1 (KJV)
“Power” (dynamis) is also used in the book of Acts:
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (KJV)
When we exercise the resurrecting power of Jesus we blow up strongholds in our minds and hearts. Strongholds such as lies, doubts, fear, prejudices, ignorance, anger, bitterness, resentment and especially the poisonous and perverted pride!
We are automatically alive and acquitted and no longer arrested by our abominable attitudes and offenses because of Christ’s resurrection! Remember:
Because He lives we can face tomorrow
Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know who holds the future
Life is worth the living, just because He lives!
Christ is risen from the dead and that same power is positioned, prevalent and personally in our life.
Join me again next week when we conclude this series by considering the final two goals. Until then, purpose to personally practice His presence and power in your life persistently this week!
For the Glory of God,
PBKSR