“That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…” Philippians 3:10
September 1, 2025
Silver miners in the late 1800s would go 1,500 feet down dealing with gases, carbon monoxide and other hazards. Prospect holes were dug by hand, with daily rations of three candles, risking cave-ins, and inhaling silica dust, suffering miner’s consumption. Few lived past age 50. What is more important than the search for silver or gold (Prov. 3:13-19)? Are we pursuing God above all else? The pursuit of God is fed by an insatiable appetite to know Christ. Upon knowing Christ as our Justifier there is room for growth, knowing Christ experientially, not simply knowing about Him, but knowing Him. We can know our neighbor down the street, but not really know them. Knowing Christ better is not merely greater mental awareness of truth about Christ, though that is important. Growth in Christ is not experienced by getting special messages from God and emotional highs. Am I experiencing change in my life? Is my life undergoing a movement away from the old ways to an increasing likeness to Christ? Has that problem of resentment and bitterness given way to forgiveness and joy? We will see from the following two clauses in Philippians 3:10 how knowing Christ is personally experienced. Can I honestly say that the passion of my heart is to do what is necessary to have Christ’s life within me shape who I am?
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“O Risen and Glorified Savior, give me greater energy for you and greater thoughts of you.”