Profundities From The Apostle Paul

Today’s focus:

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; . . .

The above passage is written by the Apostle Paul from the praetorium in Rome where he is likely chained to a Roman guard. He says, “that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection. . .” He looked ahead to the day when Jesus, “[will] change [his] vile body.” 3:21 His desire was to please Him who had “delivered [him] from the power of darkness, and had translated [him] into the kingdom of his dear Son.” Colossians 1:13. The former Saul of Tarsus’ translation was dynamically infused by the power of the Holy Spirit that was imparted to him when he was blinded on the road to Damascus (Acts 22). He was on his way to imprison more Christians to have them persecuted and killed. He was changed completely by the power of Jesus Christ. Even his name was changed to the Apostle Paul. God had another plan for this Jewish Zealot.

Saul of Tarsus was changed by the power of God! Now the Apostle Paul some 25-30 years later writes that he wants to “know him, and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings.” What does this dynamic missionary Apostle mean? He has known Christ for 25-30 years. He has traveled for thousands of miles, saw thousands translated into the kingdom of God by the power of God as he was, been through many persecutions and saw many miracles. Yet, he writes he wants to “know him, and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings; . . .”

Could the Apostle Paul be anticipating his final confrontation with the Roman chop block? Is is worried for his temporal life? The answer is obvious. There is no mention of being fearful or worried for his temporal life. This giant Christian eagerly anticipates meeting his Savior and knows that putting off the flesh (dying) is the last step. His desire, however, is to please Him. Here is the Apostle Paul’s conclusion, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.” Philippians 1:21-24

Saul of Tarsus was changed to the Apostle Paul whose ultimate desire was to please his Savior and Lord. Being with Christ is being where He wants us, when He wants us and how He wants us. The Apostle Paul’s desire was to be where Christ wanted him to be? Where do I want to be today? Where do you want to be? Yes, there is that desire to be with Christ in that final place of peace, rest, joy and eternal bliss but to be with Christ now is joy beyond measure with all the trials and tests. May our prayer be, “to please Him - to be where He wants us to be both now and forever.”