Philippians 3:10 "That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death."
In this one sentence, Paul states the purpose for his life...to KNOW Him. When you look up the word 'know' in the Greek, it is actually speaking of a very intimate relationship, a deeply personal and cherished bond. Knowing Him isn't just "knowing about" Him. It's about experiencing a deep, familiar, trusting, intimacy. This is the kind of relationship that Paul says he is pressing toward with the Living God.
The power of His resurrection is the life that overcame death. It brings triumph, bliss, and delight...even in the midst of the most difficult of life's challenges. The power of His resurrection is a living hope for a beautiful future...with Jesus, it's the enabling grace that sustains me. It's the kingdom come now...here...on earth as it is in heaven.
The fellowship of His sufferings may be a little harder to comprehend...but to have fellowship is to share something in common. Believe me, there is a joy unspeakable in this fellowship that is not a depressing, miserable,existence. It is an uncommon life and attitude...one that sets us apart as believers...with less of self life...and more of His life. His heart becomes your heart. His desires become your desires.
Paul says that this is his purpose. It is quite a mission statement for life. May we all grasp and embrace that same heart.