DEEPER KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST - PART 3

SATURDAY 13 JANUARY 2024

Reference: Philippians 3:10-11 New King James Version (NKJV)

"I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.…"

The next and second segment in the above versified referenced statement is:

"the fellowship of His sufferings..."

Apostle Paul desired to share the sufferings of Christ. However, understand that he was pleased with such request because it was a remarkable part of his calling (see Acts 9:15-17 NLT). So his desire was meant to go in that direction and entertain such reality. Got it?

Now think about this: During the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, what was Jesus' response to those who wept for Him on His way to the cross of Calvary? Let's read and examine Luke 23:27-28 below:

"A great multitude of the people followed him, including women who also mourned and lamented him. But Jesus, turning to them, said, 'Daughters of Jerusalem, don't weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children'" (WEB).

According to the versified statement, Jesus Himself discouraged those who wept for Him because it was written in the volume of the book that He would fulfil the will of God through His crucifixion. By hanging on the cross and shedding His precious blood for mankind, the voice of our forgiveness began to speak forth, thereby revealing the power of God's saving grace and reconciling love.

Now, in Christ, we are partakers of the Holy Spirit's new-abounding grace, which is a result of the finished work of Christ. So no matter how much Paul wanted to partake of Christ's sufferings, it would never lead to another salvation of mankind.

To instantiate what the sufferings of Christ have done for us, let's consider one of the benefits it brought into our lives, which positions us to become bigly fulfilled in the area of amassing wealth. 2nd Corinthians 8:9 reads, "You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich" (NLT).

What does this mean? He has paid the price for you to function in a wealthy place. You don't have to pray to share or participate in the fellowship of His sufferings as a penurious Jesus. He already made Himself poor, so you can make a conscious choice or request to obtain and enjoy riches and wealth in a godly way. That's what the Scripture means, when it say, "by his poverty he could make you rich."

In a nutshell, if through His poverty, He could make you rich, then it is of paramount importance to observe the meaning of the word "rich." Online dictionary defines it as having a great deal of money or assets; wealthy. Similar words or synonyms are: moneyed, cash rich, substantial, affluent, well-to-do, opulent comfort, loaded. The second definition says, "existing in plentiful quantities", which means "in abundance."

Another Scripture says, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5 NIV). In other words, Jesus had already suffered to bring and perfect our healing and health. You don't have to physically share His piercing and suffer His punishment that brought us peace, because by divinely-inspired purpose, you died with him and you've been raised with Him (Romans 6:3-11 NIV).

When you face life's inevitable challenges, do not accept suffering as part of it. Just be steadfast in faith by declaring the right things such as your true identity in Christ based on His finished work. This is because steadfastness in the face of adversity is an essential principle we must apply to our Christian character. There can be no success nor prosperity in our Christian lives when we yield tremendously to the adverse effects of challenging situations, instead of being resolute and wearing an unwavering confidence in such process.

So do not condition yourself to be haphazardly oppressed by the need to have the fellowship of Christ's sufferings, in order to manifest as apostle Paul desired. Sometimes, it's not the devil that assaults you; it's because you've requested to experience the sufferings of Christ, instead of His glory that follows His sufferings, and so you become arduous in your Christian lifestyle, thereby defacing the heavenly image of the finished work of Christ in the depth of your heart.

However, I urge you to be very mindful of your prayer petitions, and to resolve by God's grace, not to yield to unnecessary sufferings through your prayer request or by deliberate confession, due to lack of accurate understanding of the gospel truths.

Scripture Reading - Matthew 27:35; Luke 24:7; Acts 2:36; Galatians 6:14.

Exuberant Declaration:

I'm supremely blessed and highly favoured because I function in the realm of omnipresent favour. I'm heavily moneyed, and I'm easily drawn to receiving too much and excessive financial gain, because I'm always in the right place at the right time, with the right people and a rewarding association. I acknowledge that I have a superabundant life in Christ Jesus, and there is no end to the increase and greatness of my wealthy place. Blessed be God!