Philippians 3:9-10 ESV
Philippians 3:9-10: 9 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— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
Introduction to Philippians 3:9-10
In Philippians 3:9-10, Paul had the desire not only to be righteous, but also to be found in Christ, knowing that being found in Him was the basis of experiencing resurrection power. As we become one with Christ, His life is our life, and His resurrection power is the means by which we live.
It is not merely a theology of being found in Christ, but rather the gateway into a new style of living – one that is framed by resurrecting power.
Body
Being Found in Christ Means Being United With the One God Delights In
To be found (located) in Christ means to be connected to or united with Him, to define your identity around Him, and to be hidden away in Him. Him Whom God verified the identity when He stated that “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17; 17:5); therefore, God is well pleased with Jesus, who is completely acceptable to God.
Consequently, when we are in Christ, we relate directly to the One with whom God has complete joy. Because of this, we know that we are accepted, placed, and established within Him.
However, being united with Him not only offers acceptance but also provides the basis for eternal life. Remember, Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
Therefore, being located in Christ not only provides us with abundant and eternal life, but it also connects us to the eternal life of Jesus. This life, found in Christ, is not a mundane human existence; rather, it is a resurrection experience that has transformed us from victimhood to heroism, from despair to hope, and from old design to new creation.
Being Found in Christ Means Living the Resurrection Life
The power of Christ’s resurrection can be experienced by Christians through their union with Him, which brings life into their lives. We aren’t able to create this life ourselves but receive it from our relationship with Christ. Because the resurrection of Christ affects how we see impossible situations.
In John 11, Jesus said that Lazarus would not die due to the illness that had been afflicting him, yet Lazarus did indeed die. However, later, Jesus referred to Lazarus’ death as “just being asleep.”
This phrase shows us how death is viewed by Christ; that it is not finality. But rather, it is an awaiting of being resurrected from sleep to resurrection.
Many different aspects of life can be impacted by this view of delayed resurrection. A missed opportunity, a troubled relationship, an inactive gift, or a dry season may look to be completely dead, but should be viewed from the vantage point of resurrection power so that these situations aren’t the end. The appearance of death may only indicate that alleyways/areas are simply at rest.
Lazarus’ example shows that a delayed resurrection does not mean that a resurrection will never happen. Jesus waited 2 full days before coming to Bethany. The delay may have seemed to point to the finality of death, but it was actually a significant delay that paved the way for a resurrection.
This is true for us – delays do not always indicate God is gone from the picture. Often, delays will be the setting where God’s resurrection power is made evident.
Living From Resurrection Life
Being found in Christ means:
- To Participate in His Life
- To Live By His Resurrection Power
- To See That What is Dead is Not The End
- To Know That Delay Will Not Change God’s Will
So, being in Christ gives us hope in our lives. We end up having confidence that His Life is working in us, even when our circumstances do not reflect Life. And we believe we will see Him change things through His presence (by transforming the results). Then we will walk forward with the expectation that He will recreate us with Resurrection Power.
Reflection
Are there parts of your life that feel stagnant or have not moved forward? Bring these things to Christ. He is the source of all life, and if you are in Christ, then He will infuse all parts of your life with His Spirit. A dead-looking item may only be sleeping, and a delayed item may just be in the preparation stage for a resurrection.
Prayer
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being with me. May your resurrection powers reach all areas of my life. Where things seem delayed, grant me patience. Where things seem dead, grant me hope. Help me to awaken the dead to life and to live in the fullness of the power of the resurrection, day by day. Amen.
Call to Action
This week, find one area of your life where you see something that appears “dead.” Offer this area to Christ in prayer and trust His resurrected life to infuse that area of your life with His amazing energy and power. Start moving forward in faith, believing that if you are “in Christ,” you will be experiencing the power of His life.
Additionally, explore How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners)
