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28th November 2024
ThursdayReflection
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'Kendrick Diaz'
'writer at the Life, Hope & Truth offices'
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"I Can Do All Things Through Christ"?
Is that really true?
What does Philippians 4:13 say?
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
or
I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me. (GNT)
The verse's popularity has led to some misunderstandings.
Even the first half of the verse - "I can do all things" - has been plucked out of context and repackaged as a feel-good, inspirational mantra that people repeat to themselves when attempting something difficult, or even impossible.
This passage is not about all the wonderful things you can have or achieve if you just muster up the willpower - if you just put your mind to it.
And it certainly is not a blank check for a person to do anything he or she wants and expect Christ's support.
Philippians 4:13 is about how to overcome the trials of life and how to be content with your present circumstances - with what you do have.
The apostle Paul was deadly serious about his God-given commission to preach the gospel.
"Woe is me," he wrote to the brethren, "if I do not preach the gospel!"
He evidently felt so strongly about this duty that he pronounced a curse on himself in the event that he failed to do it.
But Paul's experiences as a servant of God taught him the harsh reality that preaching the gospel is no walk in the park.
Here was a follower of Christ who faced intense persecution and knew personally what it meant to do without - to be hungry, thirsty, cold and lacking clothing repeatedly.
He did not understand suffering in theory - he lived it.
So, when he wrote to the Philippians-with a Roman guard eyeing him and a chain attached to his ankles - he was in a unique position to offer advice and encouragement to the brethren who might one day find themselves in a similar predicament.
Instead of grumbling and complaining about his sore ankles, he wrote,
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6).
The apostle was forced by circumstance to put this promise to the test repeatedly.
The result was a profound lesson that he shared with the brethren:
"I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content".
Paul recognized that the challenges he had personally experienced - and the ability to remain in a state of peace and contentment afterward - required a level of strength that was beyond human capability.
The strength needed- the power to persevere - had to come from somewhere else, Someone else.
He tells the secret:
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Paul knew that life as a Christian would undoubtedly include suffering - as many scriptures testify - and that was something to be expected, not something to be surprised by.
Even though this beloved man of God had experienced a great deal of suffering, he was terribly aware of the fact that his difficulties were not yet over.
But what challenge could he face that would be too overwhelming for even the power of Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
None!
All things - every trial, test, persecution - could be overcome through Christ's presence within him.
Worrying, fretting and wailing "woe is me" about Christian adversity was not in the apostle's character, and it should not be in the character of any Christian.
Paul's peace of mind came from his determination to be content with his life's circumstances and to trust in God to see him through and provide him with the strength he needed to endure.
Christ's promise to those who carry on and fight the good fight of faith is a reward beyond what the human mind is able to conceive.
A glorious future awaits all those who really believe that all things can be endured through the help of Jesus Christ.
That is the inspiring and hope-filled meaning of Philippians 4:13.
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This is an edited version.
The full article and Bible references are avaiable on request
'Kendrick Diaz'
is a full-time writer at the Life, Hope & Truth offices in McKinney, Texas.
He spends his workdays writing blog posts and articles for Discern magazine and LifeHopeandTruth.com
Kendrick attends the Sherman, Texas, congregation of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association.
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