Philippians 3:8-11 AMPC
Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One), [9] And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law’s demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the practical righteousness which comes from God through faith.
[10] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] [11] That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].
As I mentioned before, this whole section of Scripture all the way through verse 14 is talking about fully experiencing the prize of the “Above Life” that is ours in Christ. The spiritual and moral resurrection from the dead while in the body that verse 11 refers to is a description that “Above Life.” Being completely the new creatures that we are in Christ is our first and great goal and ambition, and it is described in verse 10 as experientially knowing Him and His presence; experiencing daily the wonders of the power of His resurrection pulsating in and through us, and experiencing a union with His passion for others.
The question is, how do we get there? Paul talks about pressing own, reaching forward, but what does that look like in practical terms. Is it just a matter of longing for it and contending in prayer for that reality, or is there something else? I believe if you see how verse 10 is connected to verse 9 then you will find your answer as to how to posture yourself to experience the full measure of the “Above Life.” Verse 9 speaks of our being in Christ and by faith walking in His righteousness. I don’t believe that verse 9 is just speaking about our righteous standing before God. I believe that verse 9 is primarily talking about my walking in the righteousness that comes from God as a result of my step-by-step faith in Jesus and His righteousness. My righteous standing before God has nothing to do with my performance, and my righteous walking before God also has nothing to do with my performance. Holiness by faith is the victory for the Christian. Moment by moment trusting in Jesus for His righteousness to be manifested in and through us is the “Above Life” that we are invited to enjoy. The strain of self-righteousness is absolutely exhausting, but the peace of resting in His righteousness is totally liberating and energizing. As we abide in Christ, we will increasingly grow in our conscious experience of the presence of Jesus. We will increasingly grow in the supernatural reality of His resurrection power and will increasingly grow experientially in our union with the compassionate heart of Jesus. A life of righteousness, a life that realizes and radiates the very righteousness of Jesus as a free gift by simply trusting Him, is the life that takes hold of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Stop trying to be like Jesus, and start trusting moment by moment that Jesus knows how to be Himself through you.