Early November 1998; as I walked into the breast center, there was a bounce in my step; certain the news would be good. After all, I had prayed and felt a great peace. Within thirty minutes, everything changed as I listened to the Doctor telling me the biopsy demonstrated a very aggressive cancer hidden behind the mass, obscurely out of view. The mass biopsy negative; however, I had breast cancer. Immediately, I thought of my sons. Hadn’t they lost their Father already. Both still in high school, what if I died, also? Years of walking with God taught me that He had a plan I could trust; but, I couldn’t imagine what that plan could be in this. Now looking back, I can say cancer proved a blessing; because, I learned about living by facing death. I died to many desires that year and found new life.
I wonder if Paul entertained the same thought, as he wrote this letter to the church at Philippi. Certainly, Paul faced death when stoned a few years prior to these writings. Now, imprisoned; he awaited his sentencing. Although, he believed God would release him to visit the church of Philippi again; he certainly knew that his sentence could be death. It is in that thought that Paul wrote:
According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. Philippians 1:20-22
FACING DEATH: NEW LIFE
Isn’t that what the Christian life really is? Dying to self, resurrected into newness of life by God’s Grace. In Christ, we are a New Creation; dedicated to good works. Paul wanted these young believers to grasp this truth. Furthermore, along this journey; we face trials. Each trial helps us to recognize the cancers eating at our souls. Then, we can cut them out of our lives that we might live fully.
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
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. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:8-14
At first glance, one might think Paul is speaking about the resurrection of his body from the dead one day when Christ returns; however, I believe Paul is referring to much more here. Indeed, a second trans-formative meaning.
RESURRECTED TO NEW LIFE IN CHRIST
The reason I believe Paul refers to resurrection in a second light here begins by taking the whole paragraph into consideration. First, look at the full sentence of: “ That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.”
I may know Him–now, not just some time in the future.
And the Power of His resurrection–which is the power of not only our salvation from the dead spiritual life in which we were born; but, the power in which we live out our Christian Journey here and now
The fellowship of His suffering–I did go into detail concerning this during the post: How Suffering Brings You to the Heart of Jesus That fellowship occurs here on earth; because, after the final resurrection, there will be no more suffering.
Being made conformable unto his death is an ongoing process of dying to our old self. Although, our redemption occurs immediately at the point of salvation; when, cloaked in the righteousness of Christ–we still battle against sin in our own lives as we journey here on earth.
If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Paul did not ever, in any of his writings suggest that there could be a “might attain” concerning our salvation and our final destiny; therefore, we must dissect this scripture and look at others to see the truth Paul wrote here.
A NEW CREATION WITH A NEW LIFE
Instead, as you continue through the passage, you hear him say, “I have not yet attained; but I press for the mark, I strive -I follow after Jesus Christ. My perfection is not complete. But every day I die a little more to self, so that I might gain the resurrection of new life as a new creation in Christ Jesus, here and now. Look at Paul’s writings in Ephesians 2:6-10
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
This verse sheds light on what Paul meant by becoming conformable unto Christ’s death, that we might attain the resurrection of the dead. In order that we might live a life as the New Creation, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
ROMANS 6:
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed… Henceforth we should not serve sin.
Paul is speaking here concerning our spiritual baptism which occurs at the time of our salvation. Water baptism then is the outward sign to the world of what Christ has already done for us. Again, note that here Paul calls us to walk in newness of life. Our walk should reflect our position as a new creation resurrected from the death of which sin held us.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS;
Yes, facing the diagnosis of cancer with its probability of death; helped me to lay aside a lot of foolish thoughts and desires of this life. My focus changed. Suffering does that. Suffering forces us to see our selfish desires. It lays open our hearts, so we can take captive and crucify every thought which rises up against God. God resurrects our hearts and minds into newness of life in Christ Jesus. At the point of salvation, we are a New Creation in Christ Jesus. Unfortunately, we forget and go on living as though we are dead; until, God in His Grace awakens us once more to the truth through suffering
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link, if you have a prayer request email me by clicking here or comment here
CONCLUDING TWEETS:
[bctt tweet=”Suffering reveals the cancers of our soul, so we might allow God to remove them” username=”effiedarlene”]
[tweetthis]Dying to self each day; that God might reveal the New Creation I am in Him[/tweetthis]
[tweetthis]Nothing reveals the truth within our hearts more acutely than facing death[/tweetthis]
OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE
A Broken and Contrite Heart, I published in 2010, answers the question, “What do I do when I keep falling into the same sin? Does God hate me because I keep failing to get this write? So, where do I begin again and find joy in my salvation; after, falling. If you want to know more about this book or the other books I have written: You can find a link at: Book Resources.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Photo by Vladimir Kudinov on Unsplash The inscription I added.