That I May Know Him

Posted on January 30, 2019 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” — Philippians 3:10

I can still remember as a new Christian being confused by the question “Do you know the Lord?” It seemed like the proper answer was “of course I do”, but I didn’t. The good news was He knew me and I get to spend the rest of my life knowing Him.

What I did know is somehow when I repented of my sin and asked Him to forgive me, I was in a right relationship with Him and my eternity was secure. If I’m hearing what Paul is saying in this verse in Philippians, it really means that I want to know more and more, or continue knowing. Our walk with Jesus after salvation is a relational communion that is a life-long journey, sanctificational growth. I want to continue to experience God and become more like Jesus and less like me.

This experience is not an amusement park ride or some kind of a participation in church activities. Although our fellowship with one another is essential it’s the crucifying of our flesh and living a life that is death defeating. I’m still figuring out the fellowship of suffering as I can only try to imagine the heartache and pain of rejection and being misunderstood. As we walk this walk it’s important to realize that when we stand for truth and give testimony of the saving grace of God we will be rejected and misunderstood. It’s in these times we are comforted by the Holy Spirit who can sympathize with us because He has also suffered rejection, and at times it comes from us.

Being conformed or becoming like Him in His death has to be overcoming the grave. The shed blood on the cross covered the forgiveness needed for our sins but it’s the resurrection from the dead that defeated the grave. So, I desire to get to know Him and the power over sin as I get to suffer the same rejection that He did, being able to have communion and relationship with the comfort of knowing death no longer has a hold on me. This should change the way we live, this should be our anthem of victory over the bondage of sin in our lives. I need to look at sin as a stumbling block that prevents me from growing closer to Jesus.

Paul encourages Titus this way,

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you” Titus 2:11-15.

That’s the experience God wants us to have, let’s desire to walk in power and fellowship knowing death is dead, Amen!

Written by Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri, and serves with her as full time staff members. He is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can contact him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org

The Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 23-25, Mark 6: 1-29| You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “Sanctification makes us holy and destroys the breed of sin, the love of sin and carnality. It makes us pure and whiter than snow. Bless His holy name!” – William J. Seymour

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them. – Genesis 3:21