03 September 2006
The Precious Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ By Jimmy Swaggart - May 2005 -
(LEV. 17:1)
“AND THE LORD SPOKE UNTO MOSES, SAYING,(2) “SPEAK UNTO AARON, AND UNTO HIS SONS, AND UNTO ALL THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND SAY UNTO THEM; THIS IS THE THING WHICH THE LORD HAS COMMANDED, SAYING,(3) “WHAT MAN SOEVER THERE BE OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, WHO KILLS AN OX, OR LAMB, OR GOAT, IN THE CAMP, OR WHO KILLS IT OUT OF THE CAMP,(4) “AND BRINGS IT NOT UNTO THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION, TO OFFER AN OFFERING UNTO THE LORD BEFORE THE TABERNACLE OF THE LORD: BLOOD SHALL BE IMPUTED UNTO THAT MAN; HE HAS SHED BLOOD; THAT MAN SHALL BE CUT OFF FROM AMONG HIS PEOPLE:”
The composition is:
1. As the previous Chapter, which outlined the Great Day of Atonement, is one of the most important Chapters in the Bible, likewise, this Seventeenth Chapter follows in the same train.
2. This Chapter proclaims the preciousness of the Blood, in that all life belongs to Jehovah; and second, that the power of Atonement is in the Blood.
3. The Lord attached a powerful significance to these things. He would have them impressed upon every member of the congregation.
4. No animal could be offered up in Sacrifice, unless it was offered up at the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, that is, when the Temple would later be built.
THE THING WHICH THE LORD HAS COMMANDED
Verses 1 and 2 read: “And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying,“Speak unto Aaron, and unto his sons, and unto all the Children of Israel, and say unto them; This is the thing which the LORD has commanded, saying.”
This Chapter, we will find, is so clear as it regards the fact, “It is the Blood that makes an Atonement for the soul.” Concerning this, Mackintosh said: “If I look from the Third Chapter of Genesis down to the close of Revelation, I find the Blood of Christ put forward alone as the ground of Righteousness. We get pardon, peace, life, Righteousness – all by the Blood, and nothing but the Blood. The entire Book of Leviticus, and particularly the Chapter which we are now studying, is a commentary upon the Doctrine of the Blood. It seems strange to have to insist upon a fact so obvious to every dispassionate, teachable student of Holy Scripture; yet so it is. Our minds are prone to slip away from the plain Testimony of the Word. We are ready to adopt opinions without ever calmly investigating them in the light of the Divine Testimonies. In this way we get into confusion, darkness, and error.”
He then said, “May we learn to give the Blood of Christ its due place. It is so precious in God’s sight that He will not suffer ought else to be added to or mingled with it.”
THE BIBLE, THE STORY OF THE CROSS
One could just as easily turn the heading around and say, “The Cross, the story of the Bible.” When one properly learns the Word, one has learned the Cross; and it might even be turned around and said, when one learns the Cross, one has learned the Word. They are synonymous, one and the same!
If one properly understands the Word of God, then one will properly understand the Cross. And if it becomes obvious that one doesn’t understand the Cross, to be sure, one will have a misunderstanding at the same time of the Word. Such is the road to spiritual disaster.
From the time of the Fall (Gen. 3:15), through Revelation 22:21, we find the Cross as the central theme of the Word of God. To try to understand the Word in any other capacity is to misunderstand the Word.
Concerning the Cross, and even as we shall see, we will find, “This is the thing which the LORD has commanded.”
LAST DAY APOSTASY
The last day apostasy, as is obvious, is the repudiation of the Cross. Paul said: “Now the Spirit (Holy Spirit) speaks expressly (pointedly), that in the latter times (the times in which we now live) some shall depart from the Faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (I Tim. 4:1).
“The Faith” is “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified” (I Cor. 1:23; 2:2).In the last several decades, and especially the last decade (the 1990’s), the departure from “the Faith” has been accelerated. But at the same time, the Lord is lifting up a standard against this evil, by once again giving to the Church, and the world for that matter, the Message of the Cross, perhaps in a more powerful way than it has ever before been presented. And let the Reader understand that the understanding of the Cross is, in reality, the understanding of the entirety of the New Covenant. This is the Word that the Lord gave to the Apostle Paul, which he gave to us in his 14 Epistles. So, the understanding of the Cross is not merely the understanding of a particular doctrine, but is really the understanding of the foundation of all doctrine. All doctrine must be built on the premise of the Cross, or else in some way, it will be spurious.
In Paul’s day, the greatest opposition to the Message of the Cross was the Judaizers. These were so-called Christian Jews, who endeavored to attach the Law to Grace. In other words, while they may have paid lip service to the Cross, if that, their greater theme was that Gentiles had to also keep the Law in order to be saved. While this matter was partially settled at the great Counsel in Jerusalem (Acts, Chpt. 15), it was just that, only partially settled. While it was decreed that the Gentiles would not have the Law imposed upon them, certain among the Jews continued to press this issue, which caused Paul untold difficulties. As someone has well said, while Judaism in effect gave birth to the Church, it came very close as well to being its grave.
In a sense of the word, that problem of Law versus Grace is still with us, but in perhaps a more devious way.
(continued from page 1)
THE LAW
While Preachers no longer advocate the Law of Moses, many are in fact advocating “law,” though it be a law of their own making, or the making of someone else. At any rate, the problem is the same, and as well, the damage is the same. Whether it’s the Law of Moses, or a law made up by Preachers or Churches, or wherever, for that matter, it is still law, and it cannot be mixed with Grace. Again, Paul said: “I do not frustrate the Grace of God: for if Righteousness come by the Law, then Christ is dead in vain” (Gal. 2:21).
The great Apostle is telling us here that the only thing law or laws can do is to frustrate the Grace of God, which means that the Grace of God cannot function in an atmosphere of law.
What do we mean by that?
What I’m attempting to discuss is, without a doubt, the single most important factor in the heart and life of the Believer. The Believer, not knowing how to appropriate Grace, whether he realizes it or not, functions in law, which only tends to make a bad matter worse. No matter how hard he tries, no matter how zealous he might be, no matter how dedicated he might be, he will not come out to victory, only defeat – and to be sure, the defeat will get worse and worse.
THE GRACE OF GOD
The only way that the Believer can understand the Grace of God, and to have Grace flowing uninterrupted in his heart and life is to understand the Cross, and thereby place his Faith. The Holy Spirit, Who superintends all Grace, will then guarantee victory in one’s life (Eph. 2:18).
It is impossible to have and enjoy the Grace of God, unless one properly understands the Cross. As the Cross and the Word are synonymous, one could as well say that the Cross and Grace are synonymous.
The Grace of God is merely the Goodness of God, extended to undeserving Believers. As already stated, that Grace or Goodness is superintended by the Holy Spirit, Who works exclusively within the parameters of the Finished Work of Christ (Rom. 8:1-2, 11).
But most Christians don’t understand the Cross, simply because it’s not properly taught behind most pulpits, and thereby, they function in law, because there is no place else for them to function. It is either law or Grace, and if one doesn’t understand the Cross, which is the password to Grace, then law is the only other alternative.
If Believers have problems, and most all do, and they go to their Pastor, virtually all of the time, the Pastor will say to them, among other things, “You’ve got to try harder.” He says that, because he doesn’t know the right way himself. In fact, he’s having problems just as the seeker is having problems, perhaps even worse.
Living for God, and walking in victory, has nothing to do with “trying harder.” I don’t care how hard a person tries, as stated, how dedicated he might be, how zealous he might be, he’s not going to arrive at a place of victory by this method. In fact, the hurtful situation in his life will only get worse.
Not understanding the Cross, what does the Church do?
WRONG DIRECTIONS
If it is to be noticed, the Church jumps from one fad to the other. When Frances and I first began in Evangelistic work in the 1950’s, the problem, it was said, was demon spirits. In other words, it was claimed by many that Christians who had problems had these problems because they had a demon spirit moving them in certain directions. In other words, if it was an uncontrollable temper, they had a demon of temper, etc. It was stated that this particular demon had to be cast out of these Christians, and then their problem would be solved.
Consequently, people were lining up by the scores at certain Churches, which were proclaiming this foolishness, trying to find victory by having this particular demon cast out of them. In fact, this thing continued well on up into the 1960’s, and is still promoted in some circles.
In those years, I did not understand the Cross as it refers to Sanctification, but I knew that was wrong. And I said so, and I said so plainly and loudly. Many Preachers grew very angry with me because of my stand, but I knew this wasn’t Scriptural.
While all Christians are troubled at one time or the other by demon spirits, as should be obvious, Christians are not possessed by demon spirits. The Holy Spirit will not share His Temple with demons (I Cor. 3:16).
Sometime back, I had the occasion to speak with two of the most famous names in Charismatic circles. Both of these men advocated this of which I have just addressed. Demon spirits were causing the problems, and had to be cast out, etc.
Has anyone ever stopped to think that nothing like this is found in the Word of God? It’s not found in the Word, because it’s not Scriptural. While demon spirits definitely are real, and while demon spirits definitely inhabit scores of unsaved people, and while they greatly trouble many Christians, they do so, simply because the Christian doesn’t understand the Cross, which is the secret of all victory. Jesus said: “You shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:32). He didn’t say anything about Preachers laying hands on Christians and casting out demons, but rather that the Truth be given to Believers, which in effect, is the Message of the Cross, which He later gave to Paul (Rom. 6:3-14). Please note the following:
Jesus said when He ministered in Nazareth: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives . . .” (Lk. 4:18).
If it is to be noticed, He didn’t say “to deliver the captives,” but rather “to preach deliverance to the captives.” In other words, the only way in which captives can be delivered is for the Truth to be preached unto them. And what is the Truth?
(Taken from Jimmy Swaggart Bible Commentary, Leviticus, Chapter 17.)
The Power of His ResurrectionBy Jimmy Swaggart
"This Power enables Believers to 'live a new life' (Rom. 6:4)..."
(10) "THAT I MAY KNOW HIM, AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION, AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERINGS, BEING MADE CONFORMABLE UNTO HIS DEATH;"
This Scripture is one of the most glorious in the Word of God, but yet mostly misunderstood by most Christians.
While all certainly want "the Power of His Resurrection," the next two phrases, "the fellowship of His sufferings," and "being made conformable unto His Death," leave most Christians cold. They just read over that very hurriedly, because most people don’t desire to suffer, and that’s what they think it means. It doesn’t!
Paul wants to know experientially the Power of Christ’s Resurrection. He is not thinking only of the Divine Power that raised Christ from the dead, but of the Power of the Resurrected Christ now operating in the Believer’s life. This Power enables Believers to "live a new life" (Rom. 6:4) because we have been "raised with Christ" (Eph. 2:5-6; Col. 3:1).
So far so good! However, this next phrase makes most Believers want to jump ship. As stated, they think the Apostle is talking about suffering and suffering greatly on behalf of Christ, etc. That’s not what he is saying!
We’ll deal with it at length, but Paul is merely saying that we receive the benefits of all the things His suffering provided. If we don’t receive these benefits, whatever they might be, in effect, His suffering is in vain.
As well, "being made conformable unto His Death," refers to our complete identification with Him as it regards His Crucifixion and Resurrection, and what these things accomplished. This is the process of Sanctification and is intended to bring the Believer’s present state into ever-increasing conformity to Christ (Rom. 8:29; II Cor. 3:18; Phil. 3:21).
Therefore, those who died with Him and rose with Him (Col. 2:20; 3:1-3) must exhibit this Truth by a separation from their old life and a continual walking in the Power supplied by Christ’s Resurrection Life. That’s what it means!
We are to conform ourselves, to what His Death did on our behalf, and draw the benefits from that Death.
What a power this Scripture holds, when we understand what Paul is saying.
TO KNOW HIM
The phrase, "That I may know Him," refers to Paul knowing and understanding, that all things which pertain to life and Godliness, all things which pertain to happiness and fulfillment, all things which really count, which really matter, all the true blessings of Life, everything that one might think, is all found in Christ, and Christ Alone.
It may seem somewhat strange that Paul would utter this statement, especially considering that he wrote almost half the New Testament, and was given the great New Covenant, which in effect, made him the Moses of the New Testament. If any man knew Christ, one would certainly think that Paul knew Him.
In fact, He did, and perhaps as few men have ever known Him. The idea is this:
Irrespective as to how much Paul might already know Christ, he at the same time knows and understands that Christ cannot be exhausted. In other words, we have only scratched the surface.
A trillion years from today, and I exaggerate not, we will still be learning about Christ, finding out things about Him that we did not know which greatly enriches us to the better, in fact, which will continue forever. I’ll say it again, Christ is utterly and absolutely inexhaustible.
As well, the Apostle knew and understood that the constant learning of Christ, was, in effect, the learning of more abundant life. This is what Jesus was speaking of when He said, "Come unto Me all ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me" (Mat. 11:28-30).
(continued from page 1)
RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST
All of this of which we speak, in fact, is relationship with Christ – in fact, a relationship which should never stop growing.
The secret is this: The world makes its bid for the Christian. It holds up its enticements and to be sure, they do have a certain allurement about them. Those allurements have trapped many Christians, actually causing many to be lost. So what is the answer to this problem?
The Church has attempted to counter this by making up rules and regulations as to what Believers can do and cannot do. That’s the road to disaster! It holds no answers whatsoever, and in fact, if that course is maintained, it will bring about the very opposite result, which means entrapment by the world. Laws will never do this, and that’s what rules and regulations are – laws.
The answer is relationship with Christ. The closer one gets to Christ, the less allurement the world has.
It’s somewhat like an old dog that’s holding onto a bone. If that’s all he has, he’ll fight you for that bone even though there’s not a scrap of meat on it. However, you can throw a T-bone steak before him, and he will more than likely let go of the bone in favor of the steak.
It’s the same with the Christian. Once we see Christ, we learn Christ, we understand Christ, and as He begins to fill our lives as only He can do, the world simply loses its attraction. That’s the answer, and in fact the only answer to worldliness.
HOW DOES ONE HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST?
Of course, the moment the person comes to Christ, a relationship is then established; however, that relationship must grow, that is if it is to be proper. The sadness is, it does not grow in the hearts and lives of many Christians.
First of all, the Christian has to have a prayer life and as well, must have an habitual study of the Word. These two (prayer and the Word) go hand in hand.
How can anyone have a relationship with someone, if they don’t talk to that person! It’s not that we earn something by prayer, not at all! It’s that we talk to the Lord, thereby establishing relationship with Him, which will grow as time goes on.
To be frank, Paul used the illustration of a husband and wife as it regards relationship. The marriage bonds and the relationship between a husband and wife are supposed to epitomize the Lord and His Church. To be sure, a husband and wife cannot have any type of relationship if they do not talk to each other. It’s the same with Believers and the Lord. Why not?
We are Christians! We serve the Lord! Jesus Christ is our heart and life, so why would we not want to talk to Him? (Eph. 5:22-33).
To have a relationship with Christ, one must work at this, as should be obvious. The desire for that relationship must first of all be paramount in one’s heart and life. And then we must take the necessary steps to ensure such a relationship, and even that it will grow. As stated, this comes about by prayer and the study of the Word.
I’ll use another analogy: One has to work at this for it to grow, but he has to simply do nothing for it to languish and diminish. It is somewhat like one being in a river. If one does nothing, he will simply float downstream. To go upstream, he must work at that effort, as would be obvious.
To grow closer to the Lord, we have to specifically make that effort. To lose contact with Him, we simply have to do nothing, and that’s why it’s so easy to become lukewarm. Paul also addressed this by saying, "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep" (Rom. 13:11). He was speaking of spiritual apathy, which is just as much a problem now as then.
"Sleep" speaks of inactivity, which means that the person sort of drifts with the tide. As stated, to draw closer to the Lord, which means to increase the relationship with Christ, takes some effort on our part, but effort which will be rewarded greatly. To lose what little relationship we do have, we simply have to do nothing, i.e., "sleep."
(continued from page 1)
RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST
All of this of which we speak, in fact, is relationship with Christ – in fact, a relationship which should never stop growing.
The secret is this: The world makes its bid for the Christian. It holds up its enticements and to be sure, they do have a certain allurement about them. Those allurements have trapped many Christians, actually causing many to be lost. So what is the answer to this problem?
The Church has attempted to counter this by making up rules and regulations as to what Believers can do and cannot do. That’s the road to disaster! It holds no answers whatsoever, and in fact, if that course is maintained, it will bring about the very opposite result, which means entrapment by the world. Laws will never do this, and that’s what rules and regulations are – laws.
The answer is relationship with Christ. The closer one gets to Christ, the less allurement the world has.
It’s somewhat like an old dog that’s holding onto a bone. If that’s all he has, he’ll fight you for that bone even though there’s not a scrap of meat on it. However, you can throw a T-bone steak before him, and he will more than likely let go of the bone in favor of the steak.
It’s the same with the Christian. Once we see Christ, we learn Christ, we understand Christ, and as He begins to fill our lives as only He can do, the world simply loses its attraction. That’s the answer, and in fact the only answer to worldliness.
HOW DOES ONE HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST?
Of course, the moment the person comes to Christ, a relationship is then established; however, that relationship must grow, that is if it is to be proper. The sadness is, it does not grow in the hearts and lives of many Christians.
First of all, the Christian has to have a prayer life and as well, must have an habitual study of the Word. These two (prayer and the Word) go hand in hand.
How can anyone have a relationship with someone, if they don’t talk to that person! It’s not that we earn something by prayer, not at all! It’s that we talk to the Lord, thereby establishing relationship with Him, which will grow as time goes on.
To be frank, Paul used the illustration of a husband and wife as it regards relationship. The marriage bonds and the relationship between a husband and wife are supposed to epitomize the Lord and His Church. To be sure, a husband and wife cannot have any type of relationship if they do not talk to each other. It’s the same with Believers and the Lord. Why not?
We are Christians! We serve the Lord! Jesus Christ is our heart and life, so why would we not want to talk to Him? (Eph. 5:22-33).
To have a relationship with Christ, one must work at this, as should be obvious. The desire for that relationship must first of all be paramount in one’s heart and life. And then we must take the necessary steps to ensure such a relationship, and even that it will grow. As stated, this comes about by prayer and the study of the Word.
I’ll use another analogy: One has to work at this for it to grow, but he has to simply do nothing for it to languish and diminish. It is somewhat like one being in a river. If one does nothing, he will simply float downstream. To go upstream, he must work at that effort, as would be obvious.
To grow closer to the Lord, we have to specifically make that effort. To lose contact with Him, we simply have to do nothing, and that’s why it’s so easy to become lukewarm. Paul also addressed this by saying, "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep" (Rom. 13:11). He was speaking of spiritual apathy, which is just as much a problem now as then.
"Sleep" speaks of inactivity, which means that the person sort of drifts with the tide. As stated, to draw closer to the Lord, which means to increase the relationship with Christ, takes some effort on our part, but effort which will be rewarded greatly. To lose what little relationship we do have, we simply have to do nothing, i.e., "sleep."
(continued from page 1)
RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST
All of this of which we speak, in fact, is relationship with Christ – in fact, a relationship which should never stop growing.
The secret is this: The world makes its bid for the Christian. It holds up its enticements and to be sure, they do have a certain allurement about them. Those allurements have trapped many Christians, actually causing many to be lost. So what is the answer to this problem?
The Church has attempted to counter this by making up rules and regulations as to what Believers can do and cannot do. That’s the road to disaster! It holds no answers whatsoever, and in fact, if that course is maintained, it will bring about the very opposite result, which means entrapment by the world. Laws will never do this, and that’s what rules and regulations are – laws.
The answer is relationship with Christ. The closer one gets to Christ, the less allurement the world has.
It’s somewhat like an old dog that’s holding onto a bone. If that’s all he has, he’ll fight you for that bone even though there’s not a scrap of meat on it. However, you can throw a T-bone steak before him, and he will more than likely let go of the bone in favor of the steak.
It’s the same with the Christian. Once we see Christ, we learn Christ, we understand Christ, and as He begins to fill our lives as only He can do, the world simply loses its attraction. That’s the answer, and in fact the only answer to worldliness.
HOW DOES ONE HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST?
Of course, the moment the person comes to Christ, a relationship is then established; however, that relationship must grow, that is if it is to be proper. The sadness is, it does not grow in the hearts and lives of many Christians.
First of all, the Christian has to have a prayer life and as well, must have an habitual study of the Word. These two (prayer and the Word) go hand in hand.
How can anyone have a relationship with someone, if they don’t talk to that person! It’s not that we earn something by prayer, not at all! It’s that we talk to the Lord, thereby establishing relationship with Him, which will grow as time goes on.
To be frank, Paul used the illustration of a husband and wife as it regards relationship. The marriage bonds and the relationship between a husband and wife are supposed to epitomize the Lord and His Church. To be sure, a husband and wife cannot have any type of relationship if they do not talk to each other. It’s the same with Believers and the Lord. Why not?
We are Christians! We serve the Lord! Jesus Christ is our heart and life, so why would we not want to talk to Him? (Eph. 5:22-33).
To have a relationship with Christ, one must work at this, as should be obvious. The desire for that relationship must first of all be paramount in one’s heart and life. And then we must take the necessary steps to ensure such a relationship, and even that it will grow. As stated, this comes about by prayer and the study of the Word.
I’ll use another analogy: One has to work at this for it to grow, but he has to simply do nothing for it to languish and diminish. It is somewhat like one being in a river. If one does nothing, he will simply float downstream. To go upstream, he must work at that effort, as would be obvious.
To grow closer to the Lord, we have to specifically make that effort. To lose contact with Him, we simply have to do nothing, and that’s why it’s so easy to become lukewarm. Paul also addressed this by saying, "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep" (Rom. 13:11). He was speaking of spiritual apathy, which is just as much a problem now as then.
"Sleep" speaks of inactivity, which means that the person sort of drifts with the tide. As stated, to draw closer to the Lord, which means to increase the relationship with Christ, takes some effort on our part, but effort which will be rewarded greatly. To lose what little relationship we do have, we simply have to do nothing, i.e., "sleep."
continued from page 2)
THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST
The words "to know" are again, "to know by experience." The tense causes us to translate, "to come to know by experience." Paul wants to come to know the Lord Jesus in that fullness of experimental knowledge which is only wrought by being like Him.
The knowledge of which Paul speaks, is not something which relies on past experience, but that which he desires to grow constantly. As well, the knowledge of which he speaks is not of mere information, though that is included; it refers primarily to a deeper insight, a greater participation in the mind and purpose of the Master.
It is what one might call Paul’s "Christ-mysticism." It recalls the great Verse of Galatians 2:20 – "I am crucified with Christ."
Paul desired nothing less than that Christ might think through his mind, speak through his lips, completely dominate his mode of living, his intellectual life, his volition.
All of this of which Paul speaks, is not merely an acquaintance with facts, nor an intellectual conviction of their reality, but an appropriation of this knowledge of Christ (so to speak) as an influencing power into the very being of him who knows them.
In order to fully know Him, we must be found in Christ. We must have that Righteousness which is through the Faith of Christ, for we can know Him only by being made like unto Him – this we must remember, for it is very important.
John said, "When He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is" (I Jn. 3:2).
Now, all who see Him by Faith, which is the only way it can be done, are in a measure being transformed into the same Image. For the knowledge spoken of here is a personal knowledge, gained, not by hearing or reading, but by direct personal communion with the Lord; in other words, it is not theoretical, but experimental.
THE OPEN DOOR
All that Paul has found in Christ, has not at all exhausted that knowledge, but rather only opened the door of progress, and brought near the most stirring possibilities. For, indeed, to be found in Christ having that Righteousness, meant that God in Christ was His, and had begun to communicate Himself in Eternal Life. Now this must still reveal itself in further and fuller knowledge of Christ.
According to the Apostle’s conception, that which Christ means to be to us, that which we may attain to be by Christ, opens progressively to the soul, showing us that we have walked through a door into a treasure house which actually has no end. In fact, one could explain this as an eternal quest, with each glorious room in this treasure house only making one desire further exploration.
We must not forget, what has more than once been said, that this earthly life of ours in Christ is only the beginning. In fact, one might say that this is where the discipline begins, goes on, with us understanding, that if it is this glorious now, what will it be a thousand years from today?
Capacity for such a life is not something superhuman; it is actually common to man, or at least it should be, because man is made in the Image of God. The problem is, due to the Fall, man seeks this life in all the wrong places, in fact, in places where there is no life. As someone has said, "The soul of man is so large, that only God can fill it up." Let’s say it another way:
The two Books of the Bible, "Ecclesiastes" and the "Song of Solomon," epitomize this of which we speak.
In Ecclesiastes, which is the description of man trying to find what his soul longs for outside of God, we find that all is emptiness. In the Song of Solomon which is the very opposite, all is fullness. Christ and the world are contrasted.
In the one Book the heart is too large for the portion; in the other, the portion is too large for the heart.
The world and all that it has, can never fill the heart of man, but by contrast, Christ is so large, that He can not only fill the heart, but He can keep it overflowing forever and forever.
(continued from page 3)
THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION
The phrase, "And the power of His Resurrection," refers to experiencing the same power which raised Christ from the dead. This power, is to be used to overcome sin in the life, and to produce Christian graces.
The Greek word for "power" used here is the same one that is used in Romans 1:16, and means "that which overcomes resistance."
This is what Paul was speaking of when he said, "But if the Spirit of Him (God the Father) that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you" (Rom. 8:11).
Paul is talking about the Holy Spirit Who dwells in the Child of God, and stands ready and willing to use the same power to help the Christian overcome sin, as He did in raising Christ from the dead. Consequently, what we’re speaking of here, is something awesome to say the least!
Therefore, the Reader is to understand that Paul is not speaking here of the coming Resurrection of all Saints. He is speaking of living an overcoming, victorious Christian life, which the Holy Spirit stands ready to help the Believer do, but which He does according to our Faith in the Cross and the Resurrection of Christ.
Understanding that we as Christians have this power at our disposal, the Power of the Holy Spirit which raised Jesus from the dead, then there is really no excuse for failure on our part. However, the problem is, most Christians don’t know how the Holy Spirit works. They think, that is if they think about it at all, that He just works automatically. None of that is correct, thereby leaving the Believer oftentimes without any power whatsoever.
I’ll say it again. The Power of the Holy Spirit is available to every Child of God, but it is not an automatic thing as most believe. The display of His Power on our behalf, is tied to Faith; however, it must be Faith that’s anchored in the Cross on our part. This is where the victory was won, where Satan was defeated, and actually which made it possible for the Holy Spirit to take up abode within our hearts and lives (Jn. 14:12-21).
THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERINGS
The phrase, "And the fellowship of His sufferings," means the exact opposite of what most Christians think it means. Most think that it refers to Christians suffering, and the more we suffer, the more Christlike we are, or something to that effect. That’s not what it means at all!
The word "fellowship" here in the Greek means "a joint participation." Now how do we have that joint participation? Once again, most would interpret this as saying we have such a participation by suffering with Christ, etc. Again, no! That’s not what Paul is saying.
The "joint participation" in the sufferings of Christ, refers to us being "Baptized into . . . His Death," and of course, refers to the Cross (Rom. 6:3).
Of course, we were not actually there when all of this happened; however, whenever the believing sinner comes to Christ, and has Faith in what Jesus did at the Cross, his Faith, at least in the Mind of God, places the sinner actually in Christ, simply because Jesus was our Representative Man. At that moment, the new convert is literally placed "in Christ." However, it doesn’t stop there:
The Believer is to remain there all the days of his life, and I speak of being "in Christ," which includes not only His Death, but as well, His Burial, Resurrection, and Exaltation (Rom. 6:3-5; Eph. 2:6).
We are a "joint participant" in this which Christ did, by having Faith in this great work. As we’ve stated repeatedly, our Faith is to remain in the Cross, and in fact, never leave the Cross.
It is not the idea of trying to put Jesus back on the Cross, or us trying to suffer in some way to be similar to the Cross, but rather that every benefit we have from Christ, has come about due to what He did at the Cross. In fact, and as should be obvious, Jesus is no longer on the Cross, no longer in the Tomb, but rather is seated presently by the Right Hand of the Father in Heaven. In fact, due to being "in Christ," which means to be a joint participant in all that He did, we are able to have all the things for which He suffered. This is what Paul is saying. He’s not trying to get Christians to suffer.
It’s a terrible thing for Jesus to pay the price that He paid, to suffer as He suffered, all on our behalf, all to purchase for us Redemption, plus a host of other things, and then us still not have these things. How would you feel if you paid a terrible price for something, which actually came out of your own blood, doing it all for a group of people, and then them not availing themselves of this great thing? That would be a terrible thing! And yet, that’s where most of the Church presently is.
Most probably know what Jesus has done, but they don’t know how to obtain it, or else they think they know when in reality they don’t, which is worse still!
(continued from page 4)
CONFORMABLE UNTO HIS DEATH
The phrase, "Being made conformable unto His Death," actually means in the Greek, "to bring to the same form with some other person." It actually means to conform to what Jesus did at the Cross and the Resurrection, which at the same time means not to try to do these things ourselves, which are impossible anyway.
We are to conform to why He died, for whom He died, and for what He died. We are to accept the fact, that we could not save ourselves, and at the same time we cannot make ourselves holy and righteous. Neither can we contribute anything toward this which is so very, very important. So, we are to stop trying and rather conform to what He has already done, thereby reaping its glorious and wonderful benefits.
Once again, this goes back to Paul, and everyone else as well, literally being Baptized into the death of Christ, in effect, "crucified with Christ" (Gal. 2:20; Rom. 6:3).
VICTORY IN CHRIST
The Church readily understands the believing sinner conforming to the death of Christ in order to be saved. This is preached widely and rightly so, that the sinner must believe that Jesus died on the Cross, and died for him, or words to that effect. In fact, the sinner doesn’t have to understand much about all of this, just simply to believe. When he does so, Salvation is instant and wonderful (Jn. 3:16).
But that’s about as far as most of the Church goes. It little understands how conforming to the Death of Christ also has to do with our everyday walk before the Lord, in other words, living a victorious, overcoming Christian life. To be sure, not understanding this, brings about a host of problems.
If one is to notice, Paul is not really speaking here to the lost, but rather Believers. He is actually talking about himself, and if Paul wanted this, needed this, and sought for this, how much more should we fall in line in the same manner as well.
The problem with Christians, and I have fallen into this trap myself as I guess has every other Believer at one time or the other, we try to add to what Jesus has already done. In other words, we do not properly "conform unto His Death." We do so partially, but then we try to add our own little efforts which we think will help us to overcome sin, etc. It not only does not help us to overcome sin, but it actually makes a bad matter worse.
THE TRUE INTERPRETATION
To properly understand what His Death actually means, we must understand that everything we have received from Christ, everything we hope to be in Christ, is all wrapped up in the Crucifixion.
It is unfortunate, that many in the Charismatic community claim that while the Cross may have been necessary as it regards conversion, it plays no more part, they say, in what follows thereafter. In effect, they are going beyond the Cross, or attempting to do so, which means they’re really not going anywhere. Beyond the benefits of the Cross there is nothing, as there needs to be nothing. There is no victory in that direction, no overcoming power in that direction.
So, the Believer is to understand that all is in the Cross, and ever will be in the Cross. As we’ve said several times, in the last two Chapters of the Bible (Rev. Chpts. 21-22), which speak of the New Jerusalem and the coming Perfect Age, Jesus as the "Lamb" is mentioned seven times. The word "Lamb" is used all of these times, in order that we never forget, that our place and position in this coming New Jerusalem, was brought about and is brought about, totally and entirely, as a result of what Jesus did on the Cross, actually being offered up as the "Lamb of God" (Jn. 1:29). So, for anyone to think they can go beyond the Cross, or rather the benefits of the Cross, is simply going in a direction which leads to nowhere.
Understanding what we’ve said, the word "conform" simply means to believe what has been said, and receive its benefits.
(11) "IF BY ANY MEANS I MIGHT ATTAIN UNTO THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD."
As well, most Christians read this particular Verse wrong, thinking that Paul is speaking of the coming Resurrection which will include all the Saints, etc. He isn’t!
If one is to notice, the way this sentence is structured, presents Paul as being hopeful. To be sure, the coming Resurrection is not a merely hopeful thought, but rather something which is guaranteed (I Cor. 15:1-34). So, what is the Apostle saying?
He has in mind the spiritual resurrection of the believing sinner spoken of in Ephesians 2:4-8, a Resurrection out from a state in which one is dead in trespasses and sins, to one in which one is alive with the Divine Life of God motivating his being. Paul desires the full operation of this life to surge through his Christian experience in such a manner that the fragrance of the Life of his Lord may permeate his life. This is the goal to which he is striving and the goal to which he has not yet attained, at least in totality.
continued from page 5)
ATTAINMENT
The phrase, "If by any means I might attain," does not as stated, refer to the coming Resurrection. There is nothing that the Believer has to do to attain that, such being guaranteed to all who are in Christ. So, as stated, Paul is speaking of something else entirely.
The word "attain" means "to know, to take hold, to be found, to reach or overtake, to rest, to grasp." It can also mean, "to do or to accomplish."
There are actually six different Greek words which can be translated "attain." But there is a theological consistency in each of these New Testament Passages where the idea of attaining is found. In looking at these Passages, we discover how we cannot attain spirituality – and how we can!
THE EXPLANATION
In two of the following examples we will give, the word "attain" is not actually used; however, even though another word was chosen by the King James translators, it actually means the same thing as "attain" or "attainment."
Romans 9:30-32 gives us Paul’s explanation of why Old Testament Israel failed to attain righteousness. It was because they approached righteousness as if it were to be won by works rather than received by Faith.
In Galatians Chapter 3, the Greek word is used again, but translated something else, but it means, as stated, the same.
Paul warns the young Church that they are making this same mistake (Gal. 3:1-14, especially vs. 3). These believers have accepted Salvation by Faith, but now they want to try to go on in the Christian life as if growth were a matter of keeping the Law. Paul shows that the Law cannot help. Faith is the key after Salvation as well as for Salvation. Keep in mind, we are speaking of attaining something, in this case a Victorious Life.
In Ephesians 4:13-16, Paul examines Christian growth. We attain maturity by growing up into Christ. Our growth comes in the context of warm, loving relationships with other Believers in the Body of Christ – those who support us by caring and ministering.
In Philippians 3:11-16, the Passage of our present study, Paul looks again at the idea of spiritual attainment. He himself has turned his back on his own considerable accomplishments under Law. He has tossed them aside and considers them worthless.
His goal now is simply to be found in Christ and so to "attain to the Resurrection from the dead." As stated, this expression does not refer to the coming physical resurrection, but to Paul’s present experience concerning a power for righteous living that can be found only by Faith and only as Jesus shares His Own Resurrection Life with the Believer (Rom. 6:8, 13; Phil. 3:9).
This experience of power comes as we seek to follow Jesus and put into daily practice whatever level of understanding and maturity we may arrive at.
The picture that emerges as we connect these Passages is an exciting one. God does have a high calling for Christians. But we attain it, not by self-reliant attempts to live by the Law, but rather by humble commitment of ourselves to Jesus, asking and believing by Faith that He will give us the power to follow Him, which He does through the Holy Spirit, and according to our Faith in His Death and Resurrection.
RESURRECTION
The phrase, "Unto the Resurrection of the dead," refers to Romans 6:3-5. As we have repeatedly stated, it has nothing to do with the coming Resurrection of all Saints, but rather the practical attainment of a victorious life, which is already our position in Christ, according to what He has done for us.
As we have stated, Paul gives the actual meaning of all this in Romans Chapter 6. We are baptized into the Death of Christ, buried with Him, and raised with Him in "newness of life" (Rom. 6:4-5).
However, even as we shall see in Philippians 3:12, fully experiencing all of these wonderful things in our everyday walk, which of course the Holy Spirit intends, does not come about easily or quickly. And yet, the Reader must understand, that irrespective of the complications involved, there is simply no other way to this path of Victory. What Jesus did at the Cross provides the only way, the only manner, the only solution.
Even Paul will say, as we will read in the next Verse of our study, that he had not attained to all the benefits provided by Christ. Consequently, I suppose that one would ask the question as to why it is this difficult, if in fact it is difficult? The next Verse I think will shed some light on this subject.
(12) "NOT AS THOUGH I HAD ALREADY ATTAINED, EITHER WERE ALREADY PERFECT: BUT I FOLLOW AFTER, IF THAT I MAY APPREHEND THAT FOR WHICH ALSO I AM APPREHENDED OF CHRIST JESUS."
Paul is explaining here how his present life is a pursuit ever after Jesus. And in this he does not want to be misunderstood. He is not claiming that his maturity in Christ has already brought him to his final goal. In fact, he states here that he has not already received all he longs for nor has he been brought to that perfect completeness to which he has aspired.
In this Verse of Scripture, hopefully, we will learn several things.
(Taken from Jimmy Swaggart Bible Commentary, Volume 17 [Philippians] Chapter 3.)
“AND THE LORD SPOKE UNTO MOSES, SAYING,(2) “SPEAK UNTO AARON, AND UNTO HIS SONS, AND UNTO ALL THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND SAY UNTO THEM; THIS IS THE THING WHICH THE LORD HAS COMMANDED, SAYING,(3) “WHAT MAN SOEVER THERE BE OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, WHO KILLS AN OX, OR LAMB, OR GOAT, IN THE CAMP, OR WHO KILLS IT OUT OF THE CAMP,(4) “AND BRINGS IT NOT UNTO THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION, TO OFFER AN OFFERING UNTO THE LORD BEFORE THE TABERNACLE OF THE LORD: BLOOD SHALL BE IMPUTED UNTO THAT MAN; HE HAS SHED BLOOD; THAT MAN SHALL BE CUT OFF FROM AMONG HIS PEOPLE:”
The composition is:
1. As the previous Chapter, which outlined the Great Day of Atonement, is one of the most important Chapters in the Bible, likewise, this Seventeenth Chapter follows in the same train.
2. This Chapter proclaims the preciousness of the Blood, in that all life belongs to Jehovah; and second, that the power of Atonement is in the Blood.
3. The Lord attached a powerful significance to these things. He would have them impressed upon every member of the congregation.
4. No animal could be offered up in Sacrifice, unless it was offered up at the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, that is, when the Temple would later be built.
THE THING WHICH THE LORD HAS COMMANDED
Verses 1 and 2 read: “And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying,“Speak unto Aaron, and unto his sons, and unto all the Children of Israel, and say unto them; This is the thing which the LORD has commanded, saying.”
This Chapter, we will find, is so clear as it regards the fact, “It is the Blood that makes an Atonement for the soul.” Concerning this, Mackintosh said: “If I look from the Third Chapter of Genesis down to the close of Revelation, I find the Blood of Christ put forward alone as the ground of Righteousness. We get pardon, peace, life, Righteousness – all by the Blood, and nothing but the Blood. The entire Book of Leviticus, and particularly the Chapter which we are now studying, is a commentary upon the Doctrine of the Blood. It seems strange to have to insist upon a fact so obvious to every dispassionate, teachable student of Holy Scripture; yet so it is. Our minds are prone to slip away from the plain Testimony of the Word. We are ready to adopt opinions without ever calmly investigating them in the light of the Divine Testimonies. In this way we get into confusion, darkness, and error.”
He then said, “May we learn to give the Blood of Christ its due place. It is so precious in God’s sight that He will not suffer ought else to be added to or mingled with it.”
THE BIBLE, THE STORY OF THE CROSS
One could just as easily turn the heading around and say, “The Cross, the story of the Bible.” When one properly learns the Word, one has learned the Cross; and it might even be turned around and said, when one learns the Cross, one has learned the Word. They are synonymous, one and the same!
If one properly understands the Word of God, then one will properly understand the Cross. And if it becomes obvious that one doesn’t understand the Cross, to be sure, one will have a misunderstanding at the same time of the Word. Such is the road to spiritual disaster.
From the time of the Fall (Gen. 3:15), through Revelation 22:21, we find the Cross as the central theme of the Word of God. To try to understand the Word in any other capacity is to misunderstand the Word.
Concerning the Cross, and even as we shall see, we will find, “This is the thing which the LORD has commanded.”
LAST DAY APOSTASY
The last day apostasy, as is obvious, is the repudiation of the Cross. Paul said: “Now the Spirit (Holy Spirit) speaks expressly (pointedly), that in the latter times (the times in which we now live) some shall depart from the Faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (I Tim. 4:1).
“The Faith” is “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified” (I Cor. 1:23; 2:2).In the last several decades, and especially the last decade (the 1990’s), the departure from “the Faith” has been accelerated. But at the same time, the Lord is lifting up a standard against this evil, by once again giving to the Church, and the world for that matter, the Message of the Cross, perhaps in a more powerful way than it has ever before been presented. And let the Reader understand that the understanding of the Cross is, in reality, the understanding of the entirety of the New Covenant. This is the Word that the Lord gave to the Apostle Paul, which he gave to us in his 14 Epistles. So, the understanding of the Cross is not merely the understanding of a particular doctrine, but is really the understanding of the foundation of all doctrine. All doctrine must be built on the premise of the Cross, or else in some way, it will be spurious.
In Paul’s day, the greatest opposition to the Message of the Cross was the Judaizers. These were so-called Christian Jews, who endeavored to attach the Law to Grace. In other words, while they may have paid lip service to the Cross, if that, their greater theme was that Gentiles had to also keep the Law in order to be saved. While this matter was partially settled at the great Counsel in Jerusalem (Acts, Chpt. 15), it was just that, only partially settled. While it was decreed that the Gentiles would not have the Law imposed upon them, certain among the Jews continued to press this issue, which caused Paul untold difficulties. As someone has well said, while Judaism in effect gave birth to the Church, it came very close as well to being its grave.
In a sense of the word, that problem of Law versus Grace is still with us, but in perhaps a more devious way.
(continued from page 1)
THE LAW
While Preachers no longer advocate the Law of Moses, many are in fact advocating “law,” though it be a law of their own making, or the making of someone else. At any rate, the problem is the same, and as well, the damage is the same. Whether it’s the Law of Moses, or a law made up by Preachers or Churches, or wherever, for that matter, it is still law, and it cannot be mixed with Grace. Again, Paul said: “I do not frustrate the Grace of God: for if Righteousness come by the Law, then Christ is dead in vain” (Gal. 2:21).
The great Apostle is telling us here that the only thing law or laws can do is to frustrate the Grace of God, which means that the Grace of God cannot function in an atmosphere of law.
What do we mean by that?
What I’m attempting to discuss is, without a doubt, the single most important factor in the heart and life of the Believer. The Believer, not knowing how to appropriate Grace, whether he realizes it or not, functions in law, which only tends to make a bad matter worse. No matter how hard he tries, no matter how zealous he might be, no matter how dedicated he might be, he will not come out to victory, only defeat – and to be sure, the defeat will get worse and worse.
THE GRACE OF GOD
The only way that the Believer can understand the Grace of God, and to have Grace flowing uninterrupted in his heart and life is to understand the Cross, and thereby place his Faith. The Holy Spirit, Who superintends all Grace, will then guarantee victory in one’s life (Eph. 2:18).
It is impossible to have and enjoy the Grace of God, unless one properly understands the Cross. As the Cross and the Word are synonymous, one could as well say that the Cross and Grace are synonymous.
The Grace of God is merely the Goodness of God, extended to undeserving Believers. As already stated, that Grace or Goodness is superintended by the Holy Spirit, Who works exclusively within the parameters of the Finished Work of Christ (Rom. 8:1-2, 11).
But most Christians don’t understand the Cross, simply because it’s not properly taught behind most pulpits, and thereby, they function in law, because there is no place else for them to function. It is either law or Grace, and if one doesn’t understand the Cross, which is the password to Grace, then law is the only other alternative.
If Believers have problems, and most all do, and they go to their Pastor, virtually all of the time, the Pastor will say to them, among other things, “You’ve got to try harder.” He says that, because he doesn’t know the right way himself. In fact, he’s having problems just as the seeker is having problems, perhaps even worse.
Living for God, and walking in victory, has nothing to do with “trying harder.” I don’t care how hard a person tries, as stated, how dedicated he might be, how zealous he might be, he’s not going to arrive at a place of victory by this method. In fact, the hurtful situation in his life will only get worse.
Not understanding the Cross, what does the Church do?
WRONG DIRECTIONS
If it is to be noticed, the Church jumps from one fad to the other. When Frances and I first began in Evangelistic work in the 1950’s, the problem, it was said, was demon spirits. In other words, it was claimed by many that Christians who had problems had these problems because they had a demon spirit moving them in certain directions. In other words, if it was an uncontrollable temper, they had a demon of temper, etc. It was stated that this particular demon had to be cast out of these Christians, and then their problem would be solved.
Consequently, people were lining up by the scores at certain Churches, which were proclaiming this foolishness, trying to find victory by having this particular demon cast out of them. In fact, this thing continued well on up into the 1960’s, and is still promoted in some circles.
In those years, I did not understand the Cross as it refers to Sanctification, but I knew that was wrong. And I said so, and I said so plainly and loudly. Many Preachers grew very angry with me because of my stand, but I knew this wasn’t Scriptural.
While all Christians are troubled at one time or the other by demon spirits, as should be obvious, Christians are not possessed by demon spirits. The Holy Spirit will not share His Temple with demons (I Cor. 3:16).
Sometime back, I had the occasion to speak with two of the most famous names in Charismatic circles. Both of these men advocated this of which I have just addressed. Demon spirits were causing the problems, and had to be cast out, etc.
Has anyone ever stopped to think that nothing like this is found in the Word of God? It’s not found in the Word, because it’s not Scriptural. While demon spirits definitely are real, and while demon spirits definitely inhabit scores of unsaved people, and while they greatly trouble many Christians, they do so, simply because the Christian doesn’t understand the Cross, which is the secret of all victory. Jesus said: “You shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:32). He didn’t say anything about Preachers laying hands on Christians and casting out demons, but rather that the Truth be given to Believers, which in effect, is the Message of the Cross, which He later gave to Paul (Rom. 6:3-14). Please note the following:
Jesus said when He ministered in Nazareth: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives . . .” (Lk. 4:18).
If it is to be noticed, He didn’t say “to deliver the captives,” but rather “to preach deliverance to the captives.” In other words, the only way in which captives can be delivered is for the Truth to be preached unto them. And what is the Truth?
(Taken from Jimmy Swaggart Bible Commentary, Leviticus, Chapter 17.)
The Power of His ResurrectionBy Jimmy Swaggart
"This Power enables Believers to 'live a new life' (Rom. 6:4)..."
(10) "THAT I MAY KNOW HIM, AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION, AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERINGS, BEING MADE CONFORMABLE UNTO HIS DEATH;"
This Scripture is one of the most glorious in the Word of God, but yet mostly misunderstood by most Christians.
While all certainly want "the Power of His Resurrection," the next two phrases, "the fellowship of His sufferings," and "being made conformable unto His Death," leave most Christians cold. They just read over that very hurriedly, because most people don’t desire to suffer, and that’s what they think it means. It doesn’t!
Paul wants to know experientially the Power of Christ’s Resurrection. He is not thinking only of the Divine Power that raised Christ from the dead, but of the Power of the Resurrected Christ now operating in the Believer’s life. This Power enables Believers to "live a new life" (Rom. 6:4) because we have been "raised with Christ" (Eph. 2:5-6; Col. 3:1).
So far so good! However, this next phrase makes most Believers want to jump ship. As stated, they think the Apostle is talking about suffering and suffering greatly on behalf of Christ, etc. That’s not what he is saying!
We’ll deal with it at length, but Paul is merely saying that we receive the benefits of all the things His suffering provided. If we don’t receive these benefits, whatever they might be, in effect, His suffering is in vain.
As well, "being made conformable unto His Death," refers to our complete identification with Him as it regards His Crucifixion and Resurrection, and what these things accomplished. This is the process of Sanctification and is intended to bring the Believer’s present state into ever-increasing conformity to Christ (Rom. 8:29; II Cor. 3:18; Phil. 3:21).
Therefore, those who died with Him and rose with Him (Col. 2:20; 3:1-3) must exhibit this Truth by a separation from their old life and a continual walking in the Power supplied by Christ’s Resurrection Life. That’s what it means!
We are to conform ourselves, to what His Death did on our behalf, and draw the benefits from that Death.
What a power this Scripture holds, when we understand what Paul is saying.
TO KNOW HIM
The phrase, "That I may know Him," refers to Paul knowing and understanding, that all things which pertain to life and Godliness, all things which pertain to happiness and fulfillment, all things which really count, which really matter, all the true blessings of Life, everything that one might think, is all found in Christ, and Christ Alone.
It may seem somewhat strange that Paul would utter this statement, especially considering that he wrote almost half the New Testament, and was given the great New Covenant, which in effect, made him the Moses of the New Testament. If any man knew Christ, one would certainly think that Paul knew Him.
In fact, He did, and perhaps as few men have ever known Him. The idea is this:
Irrespective as to how much Paul might already know Christ, he at the same time knows and understands that Christ cannot be exhausted. In other words, we have only scratched the surface.
A trillion years from today, and I exaggerate not, we will still be learning about Christ, finding out things about Him that we did not know which greatly enriches us to the better, in fact, which will continue forever. I’ll say it again, Christ is utterly and absolutely inexhaustible.
As well, the Apostle knew and understood that the constant learning of Christ, was, in effect, the learning of more abundant life. This is what Jesus was speaking of when He said, "Come unto Me all ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me" (Mat. 11:28-30).
(continued from page 1)
RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST
All of this of which we speak, in fact, is relationship with Christ – in fact, a relationship which should never stop growing.
The secret is this: The world makes its bid for the Christian. It holds up its enticements and to be sure, they do have a certain allurement about them. Those allurements have trapped many Christians, actually causing many to be lost. So what is the answer to this problem?
The Church has attempted to counter this by making up rules and regulations as to what Believers can do and cannot do. That’s the road to disaster! It holds no answers whatsoever, and in fact, if that course is maintained, it will bring about the very opposite result, which means entrapment by the world. Laws will never do this, and that’s what rules and regulations are – laws.
The answer is relationship with Christ. The closer one gets to Christ, the less allurement the world has.
It’s somewhat like an old dog that’s holding onto a bone. If that’s all he has, he’ll fight you for that bone even though there’s not a scrap of meat on it. However, you can throw a T-bone steak before him, and he will more than likely let go of the bone in favor of the steak.
It’s the same with the Christian. Once we see Christ, we learn Christ, we understand Christ, and as He begins to fill our lives as only He can do, the world simply loses its attraction. That’s the answer, and in fact the only answer to worldliness.
HOW DOES ONE HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST?
Of course, the moment the person comes to Christ, a relationship is then established; however, that relationship must grow, that is if it is to be proper. The sadness is, it does not grow in the hearts and lives of many Christians.
First of all, the Christian has to have a prayer life and as well, must have an habitual study of the Word. These two (prayer and the Word) go hand in hand.
How can anyone have a relationship with someone, if they don’t talk to that person! It’s not that we earn something by prayer, not at all! It’s that we talk to the Lord, thereby establishing relationship with Him, which will grow as time goes on.
To be frank, Paul used the illustration of a husband and wife as it regards relationship. The marriage bonds and the relationship between a husband and wife are supposed to epitomize the Lord and His Church. To be sure, a husband and wife cannot have any type of relationship if they do not talk to each other. It’s the same with Believers and the Lord. Why not?
We are Christians! We serve the Lord! Jesus Christ is our heart and life, so why would we not want to talk to Him? (Eph. 5:22-33).
To have a relationship with Christ, one must work at this, as should be obvious. The desire for that relationship must first of all be paramount in one’s heart and life. And then we must take the necessary steps to ensure such a relationship, and even that it will grow. As stated, this comes about by prayer and the study of the Word.
I’ll use another analogy: One has to work at this for it to grow, but he has to simply do nothing for it to languish and diminish. It is somewhat like one being in a river. If one does nothing, he will simply float downstream. To go upstream, he must work at that effort, as would be obvious.
To grow closer to the Lord, we have to specifically make that effort. To lose contact with Him, we simply have to do nothing, and that’s why it’s so easy to become lukewarm. Paul also addressed this by saying, "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep" (Rom. 13:11). He was speaking of spiritual apathy, which is just as much a problem now as then.
"Sleep" speaks of inactivity, which means that the person sort of drifts with the tide. As stated, to draw closer to the Lord, which means to increase the relationship with Christ, takes some effort on our part, but effort which will be rewarded greatly. To lose what little relationship we do have, we simply have to do nothing, i.e., "sleep."
(continued from page 1)
RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST
All of this of which we speak, in fact, is relationship with Christ – in fact, a relationship which should never stop growing.
The secret is this: The world makes its bid for the Christian. It holds up its enticements and to be sure, they do have a certain allurement about them. Those allurements have trapped many Christians, actually causing many to be lost. So what is the answer to this problem?
The Church has attempted to counter this by making up rules and regulations as to what Believers can do and cannot do. That’s the road to disaster! It holds no answers whatsoever, and in fact, if that course is maintained, it will bring about the very opposite result, which means entrapment by the world. Laws will never do this, and that’s what rules and regulations are – laws.
The answer is relationship with Christ. The closer one gets to Christ, the less allurement the world has.
It’s somewhat like an old dog that’s holding onto a bone. If that’s all he has, he’ll fight you for that bone even though there’s not a scrap of meat on it. However, you can throw a T-bone steak before him, and he will more than likely let go of the bone in favor of the steak.
It’s the same with the Christian. Once we see Christ, we learn Christ, we understand Christ, and as He begins to fill our lives as only He can do, the world simply loses its attraction. That’s the answer, and in fact the only answer to worldliness.
HOW DOES ONE HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST?
Of course, the moment the person comes to Christ, a relationship is then established; however, that relationship must grow, that is if it is to be proper. The sadness is, it does not grow in the hearts and lives of many Christians.
First of all, the Christian has to have a prayer life and as well, must have an habitual study of the Word. These two (prayer and the Word) go hand in hand.
How can anyone have a relationship with someone, if they don’t talk to that person! It’s not that we earn something by prayer, not at all! It’s that we talk to the Lord, thereby establishing relationship with Him, which will grow as time goes on.
To be frank, Paul used the illustration of a husband and wife as it regards relationship. The marriage bonds and the relationship between a husband and wife are supposed to epitomize the Lord and His Church. To be sure, a husband and wife cannot have any type of relationship if they do not talk to each other. It’s the same with Believers and the Lord. Why not?
We are Christians! We serve the Lord! Jesus Christ is our heart and life, so why would we not want to talk to Him? (Eph. 5:22-33).
To have a relationship with Christ, one must work at this, as should be obvious. The desire for that relationship must first of all be paramount in one’s heart and life. And then we must take the necessary steps to ensure such a relationship, and even that it will grow. As stated, this comes about by prayer and the study of the Word.
I’ll use another analogy: One has to work at this for it to grow, but he has to simply do nothing for it to languish and diminish. It is somewhat like one being in a river. If one does nothing, he will simply float downstream. To go upstream, he must work at that effort, as would be obvious.
To grow closer to the Lord, we have to specifically make that effort. To lose contact with Him, we simply have to do nothing, and that’s why it’s so easy to become lukewarm. Paul also addressed this by saying, "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep" (Rom. 13:11). He was speaking of spiritual apathy, which is just as much a problem now as then.
"Sleep" speaks of inactivity, which means that the person sort of drifts with the tide. As stated, to draw closer to the Lord, which means to increase the relationship with Christ, takes some effort on our part, but effort which will be rewarded greatly. To lose what little relationship we do have, we simply have to do nothing, i.e., "sleep."
(continued from page 1)
RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST
All of this of which we speak, in fact, is relationship with Christ – in fact, a relationship which should never stop growing.
The secret is this: The world makes its bid for the Christian. It holds up its enticements and to be sure, they do have a certain allurement about them. Those allurements have trapped many Christians, actually causing many to be lost. So what is the answer to this problem?
The Church has attempted to counter this by making up rules and regulations as to what Believers can do and cannot do. That’s the road to disaster! It holds no answers whatsoever, and in fact, if that course is maintained, it will bring about the very opposite result, which means entrapment by the world. Laws will never do this, and that’s what rules and regulations are – laws.
The answer is relationship with Christ. The closer one gets to Christ, the less allurement the world has.
It’s somewhat like an old dog that’s holding onto a bone. If that’s all he has, he’ll fight you for that bone even though there’s not a scrap of meat on it. However, you can throw a T-bone steak before him, and he will more than likely let go of the bone in favor of the steak.
It’s the same with the Christian. Once we see Christ, we learn Christ, we understand Christ, and as He begins to fill our lives as only He can do, the world simply loses its attraction. That’s the answer, and in fact the only answer to worldliness.
HOW DOES ONE HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST?
Of course, the moment the person comes to Christ, a relationship is then established; however, that relationship must grow, that is if it is to be proper. The sadness is, it does not grow in the hearts and lives of many Christians.
First of all, the Christian has to have a prayer life and as well, must have an habitual study of the Word. These two (prayer and the Word) go hand in hand.
How can anyone have a relationship with someone, if they don’t talk to that person! It’s not that we earn something by prayer, not at all! It’s that we talk to the Lord, thereby establishing relationship with Him, which will grow as time goes on.
To be frank, Paul used the illustration of a husband and wife as it regards relationship. The marriage bonds and the relationship between a husband and wife are supposed to epitomize the Lord and His Church. To be sure, a husband and wife cannot have any type of relationship if they do not talk to each other. It’s the same with Believers and the Lord. Why not?
We are Christians! We serve the Lord! Jesus Christ is our heart and life, so why would we not want to talk to Him? (Eph. 5:22-33).
To have a relationship with Christ, one must work at this, as should be obvious. The desire for that relationship must first of all be paramount in one’s heart and life. And then we must take the necessary steps to ensure such a relationship, and even that it will grow. As stated, this comes about by prayer and the study of the Word.
I’ll use another analogy: One has to work at this for it to grow, but he has to simply do nothing for it to languish and diminish. It is somewhat like one being in a river. If one does nothing, he will simply float downstream. To go upstream, he must work at that effort, as would be obvious.
To grow closer to the Lord, we have to specifically make that effort. To lose contact with Him, we simply have to do nothing, and that’s why it’s so easy to become lukewarm. Paul also addressed this by saying, "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep" (Rom. 13:11). He was speaking of spiritual apathy, which is just as much a problem now as then.
"Sleep" speaks of inactivity, which means that the person sort of drifts with the tide. As stated, to draw closer to the Lord, which means to increase the relationship with Christ, takes some effort on our part, but effort which will be rewarded greatly. To lose what little relationship we do have, we simply have to do nothing, i.e., "sleep."
continued from page 2)
THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST
The words "to know" are again, "to know by experience." The tense causes us to translate, "to come to know by experience." Paul wants to come to know the Lord Jesus in that fullness of experimental knowledge which is only wrought by being like Him.
The knowledge of which Paul speaks, is not something which relies on past experience, but that which he desires to grow constantly. As well, the knowledge of which he speaks is not of mere information, though that is included; it refers primarily to a deeper insight, a greater participation in the mind and purpose of the Master.
It is what one might call Paul’s "Christ-mysticism." It recalls the great Verse of Galatians 2:20 – "I am crucified with Christ."
Paul desired nothing less than that Christ might think through his mind, speak through his lips, completely dominate his mode of living, his intellectual life, his volition.
All of this of which Paul speaks, is not merely an acquaintance with facts, nor an intellectual conviction of their reality, but an appropriation of this knowledge of Christ (so to speak) as an influencing power into the very being of him who knows them.
In order to fully know Him, we must be found in Christ. We must have that Righteousness which is through the Faith of Christ, for we can know Him only by being made like unto Him – this we must remember, for it is very important.
John said, "When He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is" (I Jn. 3:2).
Now, all who see Him by Faith, which is the only way it can be done, are in a measure being transformed into the same Image. For the knowledge spoken of here is a personal knowledge, gained, not by hearing or reading, but by direct personal communion with the Lord; in other words, it is not theoretical, but experimental.
THE OPEN DOOR
All that Paul has found in Christ, has not at all exhausted that knowledge, but rather only opened the door of progress, and brought near the most stirring possibilities. For, indeed, to be found in Christ having that Righteousness, meant that God in Christ was His, and had begun to communicate Himself in Eternal Life. Now this must still reveal itself in further and fuller knowledge of Christ.
According to the Apostle’s conception, that which Christ means to be to us, that which we may attain to be by Christ, opens progressively to the soul, showing us that we have walked through a door into a treasure house which actually has no end. In fact, one could explain this as an eternal quest, with each glorious room in this treasure house only making one desire further exploration.
We must not forget, what has more than once been said, that this earthly life of ours in Christ is only the beginning. In fact, one might say that this is where the discipline begins, goes on, with us understanding, that if it is this glorious now, what will it be a thousand years from today?
Capacity for such a life is not something superhuman; it is actually common to man, or at least it should be, because man is made in the Image of God. The problem is, due to the Fall, man seeks this life in all the wrong places, in fact, in places where there is no life. As someone has said, "The soul of man is so large, that only God can fill it up." Let’s say it another way:
The two Books of the Bible, "Ecclesiastes" and the "Song of Solomon," epitomize this of which we speak.
In Ecclesiastes, which is the description of man trying to find what his soul longs for outside of God, we find that all is emptiness. In the Song of Solomon which is the very opposite, all is fullness. Christ and the world are contrasted.
In the one Book the heart is too large for the portion; in the other, the portion is too large for the heart.
The world and all that it has, can never fill the heart of man, but by contrast, Christ is so large, that He can not only fill the heart, but He can keep it overflowing forever and forever.
(continued from page 3)
THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION
The phrase, "And the power of His Resurrection," refers to experiencing the same power which raised Christ from the dead. This power, is to be used to overcome sin in the life, and to produce Christian graces.
The Greek word for "power" used here is the same one that is used in Romans 1:16, and means "that which overcomes resistance."
This is what Paul was speaking of when he said, "But if the Spirit of Him (God the Father) that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you" (Rom. 8:11).
Paul is talking about the Holy Spirit Who dwells in the Child of God, and stands ready and willing to use the same power to help the Christian overcome sin, as He did in raising Christ from the dead. Consequently, what we’re speaking of here, is something awesome to say the least!
Therefore, the Reader is to understand that Paul is not speaking here of the coming Resurrection of all Saints. He is speaking of living an overcoming, victorious Christian life, which the Holy Spirit stands ready to help the Believer do, but which He does according to our Faith in the Cross and the Resurrection of Christ.
Understanding that we as Christians have this power at our disposal, the Power of the Holy Spirit which raised Jesus from the dead, then there is really no excuse for failure on our part. However, the problem is, most Christians don’t know how the Holy Spirit works. They think, that is if they think about it at all, that He just works automatically. None of that is correct, thereby leaving the Believer oftentimes without any power whatsoever.
I’ll say it again. The Power of the Holy Spirit is available to every Child of God, but it is not an automatic thing as most believe. The display of His Power on our behalf, is tied to Faith; however, it must be Faith that’s anchored in the Cross on our part. This is where the victory was won, where Satan was defeated, and actually which made it possible for the Holy Spirit to take up abode within our hearts and lives (Jn. 14:12-21).
THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERINGS
The phrase, "And the fellowship of His sufferings," means the exact opposite of what most Christians think it means. Most think that it refers to Christians suffering, and the more we suffer, the more Christlike we are, or something to that effect. That’s not what it means at all!
The word "fellowship" here in the Greek means "a joint participation." Now how do we have that joint participation? Once again, most would interpret this as saying we have such a participation by suffering with Christ, etc. Again, no! That’s not what Paul is saying.
The "joint participation" in the sufferings of Christ, refers to us being "Baptized into . . . His Death," and of course, refers to the Cross (Rom. 6:3).
Of course, we were not actually there when all of this happened; however, whenever the believing sinner comes to Christ, and has Faith in what Jesus did at the Cross, his Faith, at least in the Mind of God, places the sinner actually in Christ, simply because Jesus was our Representative Man. At that moment, the new convert is literally placed "in Christ." However, it doesn’t stop there:
The Believer is to remain there all the days of his life, and I speak of being "in Christ," which includes not only His Death, but as well, His Burial, Resurrection, and Exaltation (Rom. 6:3-5; Eph. 2:6).
We are a "joint participant" in this which Christ did, by having Faith in this great work. As we’ve stated repeatedly, our Faith is to remain in the Cross, and in fact, never leave the Cross.
It is not the idea of trying to put Jesus back on the Cross, or us trying to suffer in some way to be similar to the Cross, but rather that every benefit we have from Christ, has come about due to what He did at the Cross. In fact, and as should be obvious, Jesus is no longer on the Cross, no longer in the Tomb, but rather is seated presently by the Right Hand of the Father in Heaven. In fact, due to being "in Christ," which means to be a joint participant in all that He did, we are able to have all the things for which He suffered. This is what Paul is saying. He’s not trying to get Christians to suffer.
It’s a terrible thing for Jesus to pay the price that He paid, to suffer as He suffered, all on our behalf, all to purchase for us Redemption, plus a host of other things, and then us still not have these things. How would you feel if you paid a terrible price for something, which actually came out of your own blood, doing it all for a group of people, and then them not availing themselves of this great thing? That would be a terrible thing! And yet, that’s where most of the Church presently is.
Most probably know what Jesus has done, but they don’t know how to obtain it, or else they think they know when in reality they don’t, which is worse still!
(continued from page 4)
CONFORMABLE UNTO HIS DEATH
The phrase, "Being made conformable unto His Death," actually means in the Greek, "to bring to the same form with some other person." It actually means to conform to what Jesus did at the Cross and the Resurrection, which at the same time means not to try to do these things ourselves, which are impossible anyway.
We are to conform to why He died, for whom He died, and for what He died. We are to accept the fact, that we could not save ourselves, and at the same time we cannot make ourselves holy and righteous. Neither can we contribute anything toward this which is so very, very important. So, we are to stop trying and rather conform to what He has already done, thereby reaping its glorious and wonderful benefits.
Once again, this goes back to Paul, and everyone else as well, literally being Baptized into the death of Christ, in effect, "crucified with Christ" (Gal. 2:20; Rom. 6:3).
VICTORY IN CHRIST
The Church readily understands the believing sinner conforming to the death of Christ in order to be saved. This is preached widely and rightly so, that the sinner must believe that Jesus died on the Cross, and died for him, or words to that effect. In fact, the sinner doesn’t have to understand much about all of this, just simply to believe. When he does so, Salvation is instant and wonderful (Jn. 3:16).
But that’s about as far as most of the Church goes. It little understands how conforming to the Death of Christ also has to do with our everyday walk before the Lord, in other words, living a victorious, overcoming Christian life. To be sure, not understanding this, brings about a host of problems.
If one is to notice, Paul is not really speaking here to the lost, but rather Believers. He is actually talking about himself, and if Paul wanted this, needed this, and sought for this, how much more should we fall in line in the same manner as well.
The problem with Christians, and I have fallen into this trap myself as I guess has every other Believer at one time or the other, we try to add to what Jesus has already done. In other words, we do not properly "conform unto His Death." We do so partially, but then we try to add our own little efforts which we think will help us to overcome sin, etc. It not only does not help us to overcome sin, but it actually makes a bad matter worse.
THE TRUE INTERPRETATION
To properly understand what His Death actually means, we must understand that everything we have received from Christ, everything we hope to be in Christ, is all wrapped up in the Crucifixion.
It is unfortunate, that many in the Charismatic community claim that while the Cross may have been necessary as it regards conversion, it plays no more part, they say, in what follows thereafter. In effect, they are going beyond the Cross, or attempting to do so, which means they’re really not going anywhere. Beyond the benefits of the Cross there is nothing, as there needs to be nothing. There is no victory in that direction, no overcoming power in that direction.
So, the Believer is to understand that all is in the Cross, and ever will be in the Cross. As we’ve said several times, in the last two Chapters of the Bible (Rev. Chpts. 21-22), which speak of the New Jerusalem and the coming Perfect Age, Jesus as the "Lamb" is mentioned seven times. The word "Lamb" is used all of these times, in order that we never forget, that our place and position in this coming New Jerusalem, was brought about and is brought about, totally and entirely, as a result of what Jesus did on the Cross, actually being offered up as the "Lamb of God" (Jn. 1:29). So, for anyone to think they can go beyond the Cross, or rather the benefits of the Cross, is simply going in a direction which leads to nowhere.
Understanding what we’ve said, the word "conform" simply means to believe what has been said, and receive its benefits.
(11) "IF BY ANY MEANS I MIGHT ATTAIN UNTO THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD."
As well, most Christians read this particular Verse wrong, thinking that Paul is speaking of the coming Resurrection which will include all the Saints, etc. He isn’t!
If one is to notice, the way this sentence is structured, presents Paul as being hopeful. To be sure, the coming Resurrection is not a merely hopeful thought, but rather something which is guaranteed (I Cor. 15:1-34). So, what is the Apostle saying?
He has in mind the spiritual resurrection of the believing sinner spoken of in Ephesians 2:4-8, a Resurrection out from a state in which one is dead in trespasses and sins, to one in which one is alive with the Divine Life of God motivating his being. Paul desires the full operation of this life to surge through his Christian experience in such a manner that the fragrance of the Life of his Lord may permeate his life. This is the goal to which he is striving and the goal to which he has not yet attained, at least in totality.
continued from page 5)
ATTAINMENT
The phrase, "If by any means I might attain," does not as stated, refer to the coming Resurrection. There is nothing that the Believer has to do to attain that, such being guaranteed to all who are in Christ. So, as stated, Paul is speaking of something else entirely.
The word "attain" means "to know, to take hold, to be found, to reach or overtake, to rest, to grasp." It can also mean, "to do or to accomplish."
There are actually six different Greek words which can be translated "attain." But there is a theological consistency in each of these New Testament Passages where the idea of attaining is found. In looking at these Passages, we discover how we cannot attain spirituality – and how we can!
THE EXPLANATION
In two of the following examples we will give, the word "attain" is not actually used; however, even though another word was chosen by the King James translators, it actually means the same thing as "attain" or "attainment."
Romans 9:30-32 gives us Paul’s explanation of why Old Testament Israel failed to attain righteousness. It was because they approached righteousness as if it were to be won by works rather than received by Faith.
In Galatians Chapter 3, the Greek word is used again, but translated something else, but it means, as stated, the same.
Paul warns the young Church that they are making this same mistake (Gal. 3:1-14, especially vs. 3). These believers have accepted Salvation by Faith, but now they want to try to go on in the Christian life as if growth were a matter of keeping the Law. Paul shows that the Law cannot help. Faith is the key after Salvation as well as for Salvation. Keep in mind, we are speaking of attaining something, in this case a Victorious Life.
In Ephesians 4:13-16, Paul examines Christian growth. We attain maturity by growing up into Christ. Our growth comes in the context of warm, loving relationships with other Believers in the Body of Christ – those who support us by caring and ministering.
In Philippians 3:11-16, the Passage of our present study, Paul looks again at the idea of spiritual attainment. He himself has turned his back on his own considerable accomplishments under Law. He has tossed them aside and considers them worthless.
His goal now is simply to be found in Christ and so to "attain to the Resurrection from the dead." As stated, this expression does not refer to the coming physical resurrection, but to Paul’s present experience concerning a power for righteous living that can be found only by Faith and only as Jesus shares His Own Resurrection Life with the Believer (Rom. 6:8, 13; Phil. 3:9).
This experience of power comes as we seek to follow Jesus and put into daily practice whatever level of understanding and maturity we may arrive at.
The picture that emerges as we connect these Passages is an exciting one. God does have a high calling for Christians. But we attain it, not by self-reliant attempts to live by the Law, but rather by humble commitment of ourselves to Jesus, asking and believing by Faith that He will give us the power to follow Him, which He does through the Holy Spirit, and according to our Faith in His Death and Resurrection.
RESURRECTION
The phrase, "Unto the Resurrection of the dead," refers to Romans 6:3-5. As we have repeatedly stated, it has nothing to do with the coming Resurrection of all Saints, but rather the practical attainment of a victorious life, which is already our position in Christ, according to what He has done for us.
As we have stated, Paul gives the actual meaning of all this in Romans Chapter 6. We are baptized into the Death of Christ, buried with Him, and raised with Him in "newness of life" (Rom. 6:4-5).
However, even as we shall see in Philippians 3:12, fully experiencing all of these wonderful things in our everyday walk, which of course the Holy Spirit intends, does not come about easily or quickly. And yet, the Reader must understand, that irrespective of the complications involved, there is simply no other way to this path of Victory. What Jesus did at the Cross provides the only way, the only manner, the only solution.
Even Paul will say, as we will read in the next Verse of our study, that he had not attained to all the benefits provided by Christ. Consequently, I suppose that one would ask the question as to why it is this difficult, if in fact it is difficult? The next Verse I think will shed some light on this subject.
(12) "NOT AS THOUGH I HAD ALREADY ATTAINED, EITHER WERE ALREADY PERFECT: BUT I FOLLOW AFTER, IF THAT I MAY APPREHEND THAT FOR WHICH ALSO I AM APPREHENDED OF CHRIST JESUS."
Paul is explaining here how his present life is a pursuit ever after Jesus. And in this he does not want to be misunderstood. He is not claiming that his maturity in Christ has already brought him to his final goal. In fact, he states here that he has not already received all he longs for nor has he been brought to that perfect completeness to which he has aspired.
In this Verse of Scripture, hopefully, we will learn several things.
(Taken from Jimmy Swaggart Bible Commentary, Volume 17 [Philippians] Chapter 3.)
# posted by Michael G. McKay @ 22:16 
