STRENGTH FOR ALL THINGS

 

NOVEMBER 15, 2023 

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

 

Ok, who hasn’t thought of Philippians 4:13 before a big examination, meeting, game, or some other challenge?

For many, Philippians 4:13 is quoted more for self-motivation than anything else. I certainly have quoted it this way in my life. Have you? Perhaps a more secular version might sound like, “If we set our mind to it, whatever it is, we’ll accomplish it.” Sure, “through Christ” is in our Bible verse today, but is “through Christ” meant to be understood, as some do, that He is there just to give us strength to accomplish our goals. Does Christ give us strength to do well in a game, or on that examination? Yes. Let’s remember that the original author of this verse, the Apostle Paul was writing, from jail, to the church he helped plant in Philippi.

If Paul had the power to do all things, maybe its just me but I would think that “get out of jail” would be at the top of his to-do list. After all, if he could really do all things, he’d be all-powerful it seems to me. We really need to put Philippians 4:13 in context. The preceding three verses give additional meaning to verse 13. Here the apostle, described experiencing poverty, hunger, want, and despite it all, he writes “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Then, he added verse 13 to basically say he could do all this only because of Christ. Paul’s words were less about motivating the Philippians to accomplish great things and more about inspiring them to trust God despite horrible things. The original language reads more like, "I have strength for all things. Why? Because of Jesus."

Bad medical news? Cling to Him; He is life. Lost your job? Submit to Him; He’s your provider. Are you “in want” like Paul? Come to Him; you can be content. Through Christ, you have strength for all these things.

What are you facing as you read this? How can you rely on Christ for strength?

 I kneel before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.             Ephesians 3:14-19