Read Philippians 3:7-16

“…if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:11)

What was the Apostle Paul’s greatest aim? We know! It culminates in the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (see Philippians 3:14). But before grasping this noble goal, first Paul describes an arrival at the resurrection from the dead. Quite interesting that Paul would speak of arriving at the resurrection before arriving at the upward call.

The word translated resurrection in verse 11 is the only time that this specific Greek word in used in the entire New Testament. Paul is talking about something more than the typical resurrection theology. He has something special in mind.

The word that Paul writes is a combination of two words scrunched together. The first word means out or away from. The second word means resurrection. More literally — Paul is speaking of an out-resurrection, or a resurrection that comes out from something else.

Whatever could Paul mean by this? And why here? The fuller context of this verse gives us the answer. Paul is desiring, right now in this life, the experience of resurrection life out of dead things.

We may take the liberty to expand the translation of this verse as follows:

…if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection out from the dead things.” (Philippians 3:11)

It’s similar to what Paul preached to the church at Ephesus:

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” (Ephesians 2:4–6)

The purpose for which Paul strives for in his life is to arrive at and experience Christ's resurrection in his life out from the deadness of sin and dead works!

Amen!

We too must realize it is Christ’s desire as born again children of God to experience His resurrection today — right now — out from those things which are dead.

Have you come to Christ, and have the promise of His resurrection within reach, but refuse to come out from the tomb? Beloved, the tomb has been rolled away! — so come out from that dark grave and those dead bones! As Christ commanded Lazarus, so He commands you: “Come forth!” (see John 11:43)

Do not vex your spirit by communing with the rotten flesh of your past life. Experience Christ’s resurrection out of the tomb — out from the dead things. As our Lord commanded:

“Come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord” (2 Corinthians 6:17)

Are you still in the tomb, Christian?