I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)
The Apostle Paul was an amazing person. Given the love, commitment, and sacrifice he displayed throughout his life, it is small wonder that the Lord chose Him to write about twenty-five percent of the New Testament.
Were Paul alive today and came to speak at your church, what would he emphasize? Judging by his life and writings, he would focus on his love for Jesus and his desire to know Jesus- His crucifixion, the power of His resurrection, and even the incredible suffering the Lord endured.
Why? Despite the incredible sufferings that Paul endured, he knew two things. First, they couldn’t compare to the sufferings of Christ. Secondly, Paul also knew that no amount of hardship in this life could be compared to the joys of being in heaven with Jesus. For Paul, heaven was the eternal prize.
How about you? God knows everything about you. Are you striving to get to know Him?
