THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Lord Jesus, the Philippians joyously believed the Good News of redemption from sin and gaining eternal life through placing faith in You. Who wouldn’t want a deal like that? However, did some of Paul’s teaching leave the believers wondering what they signed up for? Should his teaching affect believers today as it did the Philippians?

Paul explained his position in Christ and told the believers to seek the same.

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead—Philippians 3:10(a)

Yes! Of course, as believers, we want to experience the mighty power of God active in our lives. Power to conquer temptations. Power of Divine deliverance from destructive habits and addictions. Power of mountain-moving prayers. After all, Psalm 103 says You will fill our life with good things. Count me in!

Perhaps many came back to reality considering the impact of the second part of Paul’s message:

I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death — Philippians 3:10(b)

Wait! “I want to suffer?” “Share in His death?” The joys of knowing You, Jesus comes with a price. Suffering and struggles accompany living for You in this fallen world. Not everyone will accept Your Good News of redemption. Ridicule. Mocking. Rejection. Physical, emotional, and spiritual abuse are common. In sharing His death, we die to our wants, our desires, our will in this world. However, we gain eternal life, being transformed more into Your image, Jesus. (Mark 8:35)

Who wouldn’t want a deal like that? Amen.