“I Can Do All Things…”
“I Can Do All Things…”
There’s probably no verse in the Bible that can make me cringe more than Philippians 4:13.
It’s not that there’s anything wrong with the verse itself. I just can’t stand the way people use it — at least most of the time.
Someone completes an impressive feat like winning a marathon, and they’re asked the secret to their success: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Going into a challenging exam without having studied, someone tries to summon up the knowledge and confidence to earn a passing grade: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
While these may seem like appropriate applications of Philippians 4:13 if that verse stood alone, it doesn’t. Reading Philippians 4:13 along with the surrounding verses gives us a better idea of what that verse is actually about. Let’s look at the context…
Philippians was written by the Apostle Paul while imprisoned and facing death for preaching the Good News of Jesus. In the verses directly preceding Philippians 4:13, Paul penned these incredible words:
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. - Philippians 4:11-12 (ESV).
He then went on to make the famous declaration:
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13 (ESV)
You see, what Paul was talking about was something far more impressive than winning a marathon, and far more challenging than passing a huge exam.
By God’s common grace to mankind, we — Christians and non-Christians alike — can do all sorts of impressive or hard things, if we’re motivated enough and work hard to accomplish our goals. But something we cannot do apart from Jesus is to be content in every situation, because this can only be accomplished when we’re fully surrendered to God’s will for our lives (both the good parts and the seemingly bad parts) and fully trusting that He will provide for our every need.
The heart behind Paul’s words is not, “I can do anything I want to do through Christ who strengthens me.”
No, it’s this: “I can face any challenge God sets in front of me, or any circumstance God places me in, because I know that God will give me exactly what I need to get through it.”
This, by the way, is a perfect example of God’s grace in effect!
God’s grace makes it possible for us to face whatever challenges He sets in front of us. His grace gives us strength to endure any circumstances He places us in. His grace equips us to accomplish whatever He asks us to accomplish.
This is how Christ strengthens us: He pours out His grace upon us. And because of His grace poured out on our lives, you and I can faithfully follow Jesus through the good and the bad, content in knowing that His grace will always be enough for us!
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