Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3:8-10 (ESV)

 

The Apostle Paul reminded the Philippians that when he looked back on the highlights of his life and accomplishments through the lens of knowing Christ, everything paled in comparison to Christ's surpassing glory. Even after so many years of following Christ, Paul desired for a more intimate experience of knowing Him and becoming like Him by sharing in the power of His death, resurrection, and sufferings.

The Greek word for "sharing" is koinonia, which means participation. Paul endured many sufferings because he saw them as a sharing in the sufferings of Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:10), and he overcame many of them as a result of Christ sharing his resurrection power with him (cf. Romans 8:37). This gives Paul a good reason to persevere, to strive with all hope for a "better resurrection" like the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11.

Paul had no doubts about his resurrection. After all, he taught the Colossians that all believers are already incorporated into Christ's death and resurrection and the act of baptism is the testament of this objective reality (Colossians 2:12-15). While Paul is assured of his resurrection, he has yet to attain his resurrection because he is still very much alive. As a result, he presses on, or, more precisely, he actively pursues with conviction what Christ has in store for him when he dies.

Like Paul, we are to identify with and participate experientially in Christ's redeeming work. We must rest on the resurrection power of Christ to sustain us throughout our life's journey until we are called to glory, when we enjoy our ultimate resurrection and live on forever free from suffering and pain.