That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3:10-11 (LSB)

Read more: For My Determined Purpose – Part 1c

“That I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” This looks like striving for a coveted prize, doing whatever it takes. Listen to this, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” Read 1 Corinthians 9:38 (KJV). Hence, the Bible says, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Read Romans 8:38-39 (KJV). Paul was fully convinced that every believer in Christ is guaranteed the resurrection. I am sure you are aware, that not everyone who call themselves a Christian is a believer. The Bible says, “Wherefore by their fruits, ye shall know them.” Read Matthew 7:20 (KJV). If you are not a true believer in Christ, then you have no guarantee of the eternal life of God – Zoë.

The story is told that when James Calvert went out as a missionary to the cannibals of the Fiji Islands, the captain of the ship that had carried him there sought to turn him back by saying, “You will lose your life and the lives of those with you if you go among such savages.” Calvert’s reply demonstrates the meaning of Philippians 3:10. He said, “We died before we came here.” This perfectly encapsulates Philippians 3:10. It looks to me that Calvert’s life was already determined by his actions, and there was no turning back. The Bible says, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Read Luke 9:62 (LSB).

The Bible says, “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” Romans 8:23 (KJV). This is a reference to the resurrection which accompanies the rapture of the Church. The Bible says, “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (KJV). Listen to this, “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a corruptible body, it is raised an incorruptible body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.” Read 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 (LSB).

Paul understood there was a condition to be fulfilled. The resurrection Paul spoke about was conditional. Therefore, he needed to do something to attain it. Faithfulness is required. Receiving Christ’s righteousness is required. Knowing the power of His resurrection is required. Sharing His sufferings is required. Conforming oneself to His death by laying down one’s life for others requires selfless service to God and His called-out ones.

Dear Father in Heaven, I am very grateful for Your Word! You are “Our Father in Heaven and Our Gateway of Hope.” You are Yahweh Jehovah. You are the Almighty God, who sees and knows all things. Thank You, Father, for You are our rock of safety in these times that we are in. For this O’ Lord, I am eternally grateful for Your Faithfulness. O’ Glory to God in the highest. You alone are worthy of our praise!

We write. You read. Be encouraged.

Pour mon but déterminé – Partie 1c

Afin que je puisse le connaître, ainsi que la puissance de sa résurrection et la communion de ses souffrances, étant conforme à sa mort, afin que je puisse parvenir à la résurrection d’entre les morts.

Philippiens 3 :10-11 (LSB)

Continue reading “For My Determined Purpose – Part 1c” →