You can't have one without the other.

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Pet. 4:12, 13).

During my first semester at the Moody Bible Institute in 1952, I purchased a beautiful wall plaque which bore the imprint of Phil. 3:10:

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection.”

I was so proud of and inspired by the words on this sign. It became the first object I looked at upon rising, and the last sight before retiring. In fact, I had decided to make this passage my life’s verse. One day a friend came in my room, saw the plaque, admired it, but informed me that the entire verse was not printed upon it. Somewhat shocked, I hurriedly turned to look it up. Upon discovering the entire message, I suddenly became less sure I wanted this verse as my life’s verse. What I read was:

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.”

You see, I had been tremendously inspired by the first part of the verse, but was definitely less excited about the second section. I wanted the power of the resurrection without the fellowship of the sufferings, but this is impossible! One simply cannot have the first apart from the second!