Philippians 3:10 ESV
Philippians 3:10: that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
Introduction
We often think of Jesus’ Resurrection in terms of what we know from history, how He rose from the dead three days after His crucifixion, how the tomb was empty, and how He rolled the stone away from the tomb entrance showing that He had conquered death. However, Paul shows us that this Resurrection is much more than something to be marked in history – it is something to be experienced.
In Philippians 3:10, Paul expresses his heartfelt desire: “That I may know Him and the power of His Resurrection.” To Paul, the Resurrection is not simply representative of what happened to Jesus but rather how we may experience the power of it through our lives. Because it was through the Resurrection that God poured out His power upon humanity to transform, renew, and create a new life in them.
Yet, Paul also teaches us that we experience this resurrection power when we choose to abandon any attempt at self-righteousness (works to earn or remain righteous before God) and then receive the gift of righteousness through Jesus Christ (imputed [made righteous] through faith).
Body
Losing Self-Righteousness to Gain Christ
Paul counted on his credentials as a Jew, prior to coming to know Jesus: his ability to follow the law perfectly and obey all of God’s rules. However, as stated by Paul in Philippians 3:7-8, he realised that those things (self-righteousness) were nothing compared to knowing Christ: living in the new dispensation (Christ’s-righteousness).
Why was that? Because self-righteousness cannot save you or give you life or empower you spiritually.
Therefore, Paul decided to abandon his own righteousness to accept Christ’s righteousness instead.
This is the purpose of the gospel; we give up our reliance upon ourselves in order to be gifted with a right standing in God’s eyes, by faith through Jesus Christ. When we stop relying upon ourselves for salvation and begin relying upon Christ, we step into resurrection power.
Being Found in Christ
He states again in Philippians 3:9 that his desire is to “be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own… but that which comes through faith in Christ,” and this establishes the basis for resurrection power since it is rooted in being in Christ. Resurrection power is bestowed upon believers because God attributes the righteousness of Christ to the believer and therefore provides the believer with a new start in Christ.
Therefore, resurrection power results from being dependent upon our new identity as opposed to attempting to achieve our own righteousness through hard work. Once you are found in Christ, He will continue to live through you. You only have to allow Him.
Resurrection Power Produces New Life
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead now works in believers – again, when you surrender to Jesus’ lordship. This power changes our desires, breaks the grip of sin, and gives us the strength to walk in obedience. It transforms us from the inside out.
This is why Scripture says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Because the resurrection is not only something Jesus experienced — it is something we experience through Him. Old ways begin to fade, and new life begins to emerge.
What Is the Basis of Your Righteousness?
Paul’s message in Philippians 3:10 is a call to review our own lifestyles. What do we place our confidence and trust in; is it our morality; our church involvement; our service; or our knowledge?
Each of these has no capacity to produce resurrection-like power; only Jesus Christ has that ability.
When we move our confidence away from ourselves and place it in Jesus, we then experience the transformational power of the resurrection. Therefore, the Christian life will be experienced through using resurrected life not through merely relying upon one’s self.
Reflection
Are you putting trust in your own rightness, or are you resting in Christ’s rightness? There is resurrection power through knowing Him and trusting Him and through being in Christ. We can experience the power of Jesus’ resurrection by surrendering our own efforts and allowing Him to do things through us.
Prayer
Jesus Christ, I thank You for Your resurrected power. I give up my own paternal heritage rightness to depend on Your works only. May Your living being flow through me as I turn into the image of Christ in my heart, change how I think, and allow the resurrection of Jesus to empower me to be obedient. Each day, help me to become more aware of You. This is my prayer in Jesus’ Christ, Amen.
Call to Action
This week, instead of relying upon yourself as the source of your confidence, focus on trusting in Jesus’ finished work. Spend time getting to know Jesus by reading the Word and praying to Him. If you do this, anticipate that His resurrection power will revive every aspect of your relationship with Him.
Additionally, explore How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners)
