July 19
Sharing in
Christ's Sufferings
Philippians 3:10
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.
Daily Steps
The new believer often seeks to know Christ's resurrection power while avoiding the very thing that connects us most deeply to Him: shared pain. This verse reveals the profound spiritual privilege in trials: participation in his sufferings leads to a deeper knowledge of Christ.
The peace in this perspective is found in profound intimacy:
The Goal of Intimacy: The Apostle Paul states his highest aim: "I want to know Christ." This knowledge is experiential, not merely intellectual. It includes knowing the power of his resurrection (His glory and life-giving strength, Day 185) and the reality of participation in his sufferings.
The Privilege of Suffering: To participate in his sufferings means to experience rejection, hardship, or injustice for Christ's sake. When we endure pain because of our allegiance to Him (The Pursuit of Holiness, Day 198), we share in the experience of our Savior. This connection is a profound spiritual honor.
The Result is Deeper Knowing: Accepting this participation moves us toward becoming like him in his death—dying to self and worldly ambition (Earthly Wisdom, Day 181). This deeper level of intimacy and spiritual likeness provides a peace that is utterly secure because it is rooted in the very core of Christ's life.
Your peace in suffering is secured by divine intimacy. Embrace your trials as a privilege, for they offer the highest form of spiritual connection: participation in Christ's sufferings and a deeper knowledge of Him.
Reflective Question
If you truly believe your current suffering is a participation in Christ's sufferings, how does that connection change your view of the pain? What specific area of your life needs to "die" (becoming like him in his death) so that you can better experience the power of his resurrection?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess my tendency to run from pain, which keeps me from intimacy with You. I pray for the courage to desire the full knowledge of Christ—including participation in his sufferings.
Secure my peace today in the certainty of this profound connection, and help me to see my trials as a privilege that leads to a deeper resemblance to my Savior. Amen.
