Fellowship

That I may know Him - In The Fellowship

That I may know him, . . . , and the fellowship of his sufferings, . . . Philippians 3:10 (KJV)

Imagine, to share in fellowship with Christ is offered to every born-again, spirit-filled believer. But, you say, "I don't really like suffering." Beloved, you cannot escape its touch if you are committed to follow Jesus. You must embrace "the fellowship of his sufferings."

Firstly, we must understand just what this verse is asking of us. Secondly, we must make a decision to join Him in this fellowship.

The word used for "sufferings" is the Greek word, pathema, that deals with the afflictions which Christ underwent in behalf of the Father's cause. The misunderstanding, rejection, maligning, hatred, mocking and, if necessary, the physical beating, torture and death, which Christ patiently endured. The emphasis is upon that which is of an inward state, an affliction, passion. It is the love of God unwanted, cast aside, ignored and otherwise trampled under foot that breaks the hearts of Christ and those who are in covenant with Him.

To share in the fellowship of His love for lost and dying humanity; to be moved with supernatural compassion for those suffering under the burden of sin and to be filled with a desire to seek and to save that which is lost is to enter into the fellowship of His sufferings.

To "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness . . ." (Eph. 5:11 KJV) and to have our "fellowship in the gospel" (Phil. 1:5 KJV) releases gifts in our lives so that as we "take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints" (2 Cor. 8:4 KJV) we have all sufficiency in all things.

We enter into "the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ" (Eph. 3:9 KJV) and we come to know Him.