[ that i may know Him ]

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. -Phil. 3:8-11

reject the flesh

count everything as loss - suffered the loss of all things
count them as rubbish

***

confidence in a living relationship

because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus
a righteousness that depends on faith
...that I may know him and the power of his resurrection

***

Movement.

I love Philippians 3 because there is this astounding here to there progression. It's this sort of beautiful climactic point that Paul seems to say, "Do you get it?! This is life!"

Paul surrenders everything, and even further, counts his loss rubbish (strong wording!) for the sake of knowing Jesus Christ and sharing in the power of His resurrection through faith.

A big-time change-up in his place of trust seems to occur: from the flesh (pleasing God through energies of the flesh) -- to sheer, utter confidence in a living relationship with Jesus Christ.

I'm not sure if I completely understand this passage, but there's something that is pretty striking: Paul regards all things as loss not just because all works of the flesh were devastatingly harmful or worthless to his life, but because compared to knowing Christ (his plea, really: that I may know Him), those things are no longer in sight -- no longer to be charted anywhere near the greatness of knowing Jesus Christ -- no longer providing the pressing-on-toward-life motion that Paul so desires -- longs for, really -- from God in Jesus.

***

From self to Jesus. There's power in that.

The death and resurrection of Jesus -- revealed to us even now.

Fellowship with God -- now; that [we] may know Him.

***

God's range of power stretches beyond my misconceptions and hesitation, into this beautiful place of surrender that I haven't even accomplished on my own -- a place where God works regardless of our weaknesses. Regardless of our failures because they're measured by our human limitations, anyway, and God's reaching power digs deeper and is vaster and more immense than any attempt to please Him in our own power.

Joe described it to Evan once as God's will (and His power, really) leaving us kicking and screaming. Not kicking and screaming that always leaves us wounded or distraught, but that is our only feasible response to God's big power in our lives.

A power that moves and transforms -- heals and provides.

A power that has nothing to do with us and everything to do with Him.

Take care!

-Jessie