There is a Better Way

It’s time to take a spiritual assessment. Let’s get real so that we can get right. There is a better way than our way. Our opinion is not what determines where we are spiritually. We must use God’s word to measure the condition of our heart. Let’s just use this one man and this one verse and see how we compare. You see, no matter who we have been in the past, no matter what we have done – Paul has done worse. He stoned Christians to death, yet God redeemed his life and used Him in a profound way. That means that God can take our history and turn it into ‘His story’ of redemption. Since he had a messed up past – we can relate and therefore use him as a role model to understand there is a better way than our way.

Let’s look at what Paul said in Philippians 3:10 (CSB):

“My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.”

Paul said, “My goal is to know Him”. Now, let’s talk about our goals. If we sat down and listed all of our goals would we find the words – “to know Jesus more”? No, we would find things like lose weight, make more money, get a higher title, have a better house. Our goals reflect our desire to conform to the world, but remember we, aka Christians, are to be transformed – set apart – different. (Romans 12:2) What if we made our #1 goal to be the same as Paul’s – to know Jesus more? Do you agree that Paul wanted more than just an intellectual knowledge, he wanted a relational knowledge? Paul wanted an intimate knowledge of Jesus.

Next, Paul says His goal is to know “the power of His resurrection”. Is that on your list of goals? As we read that, we can’t help but notice that Paul is not saying the power “in” His resurrection. I mean there was definitely an indescribable supernatural power that raised Jesus from the dead. But, I believe that here Paul is speaking of the ongoing power – the power “of” His resurrection - that we can experience daily being in Christ. Remember in Galatians 2:20 when Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” So, knowing the power of His resurrection must mean that we no longer live our lives based on our own power, but instead on the power that is alive in us. That is why we can do all things through Him who gives us strength. (Philippians 4:13) So see, there is a better way – knowing Jesus more and living by faith in Him – in His power and His strength.

Lastly, Paul says he wants to know “the fellowship of His sufferings”. I bet that didn’t make your goal sheet this year. But look around at the world, we believers are going to struggle in this environment. We are going to be the odd ones, the different ones. We will be judged, questioned and ridiculed. Paul is simply saying that he sees the value in the struggles that will naturally accompany those who are in fellowship with Jesus. James instructed us to “count it all joy” (James 1:2-3) when we endure trials, because they grow our faith and our relationship with our Savior. Paul wants to be like Jesus. He longs to be completely obedient to the Father – just like Jesus was – even to the point of death. Paul is a role model for us; we should want to be like Jesus.

There is a better way. Let’s get real so we can get right. We keep reverting back to our way. Our way is not the best way. His way is best. His way looks like this…

My Goals:

· Know Jesus more – develop a deep and intimate relationship

· Know His power and His strength and live by faith in Him

· Know His suffering and walk in obedience just like Jesus did – every day and in every way – applying the truth of the written word and the testimony of the living word

Our greatest life achievement is to know Jesus. He becomes more real to those who persistently seek after Him, to those who enter into His presence.

Let's encourage one another and do this together. Together we can drown out the world and focus on our new goals. Who is in? Join us for the Summer Study Series...

A Message from Pam:

During May, we are talking about getting into the Word so that the Word can get into us. But we want to go deeper and share ways that might help you study God's word. Emily Smith is going to teach us how to study and gain understanding of God's word. Join us May 31st on the Master What Matters Facebook page at 8 p.m. for Live Conversation with Emily! Don't miss a blog post or a Facebook or Instagram post. Stay connected. (Did you know if you hover over the "like" button on Master What Matters' Facebook page you can click "See First" so that Facebook will show you every post? Do it! It's awesome.

Be sure to join us for the Summer Study Series - every Thursday night in June and July via private groups attached to the Master What Matters Facebook page. Let us know you want to participate and we will get you connected. Comment "Add me" to this blog post and we will make it happen.

Do you know Jesus? If you just aren't sure, download the Plan of Salvation and read through the scriptures. I would love to chat with you about it. Feel free to reach out to me.

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