If you desire to experience resurrection power, then …

Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

If you desire to experience resurrection power, then …

As Easter approaches, we are reminded daily of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. We see in the New Testament that the same power that raised Christ from the dead, raises us to new life in Him. We have power over sin and walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4-11). We obtain a good conscience (1 Peter 3:21). Our hope is alive (1 Peter 1:3). We can sing with Paul, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We cannot live the Christian life in our own power. We fail miserably. But many of us continually try to live the Christian life in our own power, because we don’t desire the “fellowship of His sufferings” or “being made conformable to His death.” We think that the abundant life (John 10:10) includes no adversity.

The Apostle Paul, who wrote this letter to the church at Philippi, wanted to improve his relationship with Jesus Christ. He says, “that I may know Him.” For Paul, or us, to know Christ in a more intimate way we must participate in His sufferings.

Why did Christ suffer? He was sinless. He suffered for the sins of others. He suffered for the sake of others. Other people’s sins often affect us. How do we respond? When we are affected in a negative way by others are we able to respond in a way that looks out for their welfare?

Also, there is death involved here. In the context of chapter three of Philippians, Paul tells of some areas of his life that had to die: He was proud of his heritage. He was from a respected tribe. He was a member of a respected religious and political group. He had zealously performed his religious duties. He had been a recognized leader. Paul had to put to death all this. He had to die to what he wanted to be, do, and have for what Christ wanted him to be, do, and have. In a letter to the Corinthians in the chapter he wrote regarding the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Paul said, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31).

This death is a yielding to God. As we yield to God’s will during adversities and the effect of the sins of others, God gives us His resurrection power. Part of that is the fruit of the Spirit. He gives us a peace that passes understanding. He expands our love. He gives us true joy.



As long as we have a fix-it-yourself attitude and respond to others and situations in the flesh, we won’t experience the power of God in our life in the way He intends we experience it. Let’s desire fellowship with Christ even if it means suffering with Him. If we are suffering with Christ, then we are WITH Christ. We are under His wings! We are in His care!