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Power in Weakness

Philippians 3:10-11  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 the resurrection from the dead.

This verse caught me today as I read Philippians.  I am trying to wrap my mind around sharing in the sufferings and death of Christ.  I can understand knowing Christ and the power of the resurrection, that's the feel good part.  But the fellowship of sharing his sufferings? That doesn't sound enjoyable.  The anguish and pain of being ridiculed and beaten, hung on a cross, and forsaken by God,  why in the world would I want to share that?   If I live my life for myself, then I will always try to avoid the pain and agony.  Jesus, the Son of God, didn't avoid the pain and agony, then why should I?  I must share in the suffering in order to understand how Jesus' sacrifice changes my life on earth when I live for Him.  So, can't I just go through the suffering and avoid the death part?  Jesus died for me, why do I need to become like him in his death?  The moment of Jesus' death was seemingly the weakest point in the crucifixion.  The Father turns away, Jesus says it is finished and dies.  What incredible power!  His weakest moment on the cross and Jesus speaks with powerful authority and ends mankind's suffering of striving for perfection through the flesh.  We are to be like Jesus in his death, so that in our weakest moments we experience His immense power, grace, and glory.  In sharing in Jesus' sufferings and becoming like him in his death, we live through him, so that he can live through us.

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