“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phil. 4:13)
Far too many believers either think the words “all things” in this verse literally means they can actually do anything they want, or they skim over those words and by doing so, remove the statement from its context.
Taken as read without the Spirit’s interpretation, this Scripture seems fictional. We cannot literally do “all things through Christ Who strengthens us.” If you disagree, go outside and leap over the nearest tall building in a single bound, or run faster than a speeding bullet, or attempt to lift a huge boulder with the power of a locomotive.
You can’t, and you say, “That’s not what it means.” I agree. But, what does it mean? Paul had just been speaking of the radical developments of his life; both the very good circumstances and the very bad circumstances. However, most people do not feel that they struggle to get through the good things of life. Here is a list of some bad things Paul endured for the Gospel of Christ:
“From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.” (2Corinthians 11:24-28)
The Apostle Paul had come to realize with satisfaction that the presence and power of Christ is enough for him to face everything that comes in life; all of it!
But what does Philippians 4:13 mean to me right now? Many times, the Holy Spirit has taken this great promise and applied it to my situation in the moment.
On July 26, 1992, my mother passed away. I was the pastor of FBC of Tehachapi, California at the time. In those days I was blessed to have 10-30 prayer warriors meet with me in prayer early on Sunday mornings before any of our services began. Mom had been on Hospice care for about a month with small cell, rapid growth lung cancer; she was given 6 months to live at most.
I had spent all of my prayer energies asking God to heal her, she was 69 years old. On that particular Sunday morning with all my praying friends with me, I began to ask God my usual prayers for mom’s healing, when I heard God break in: “Jerry, release her to me.” Through tears, but trusting, I placed her in God’s care. Within 20 minutes I received a call at church that mom had just gone home to be with the LORD.
Grief in me was extreme through her services. Immediately upon return back to FBC, I was faced with the deaths of three other moms where I needed to minister to families in their grief; two of the families were members of FBC. I was experiencing and overload of grief.
In all this grief and it’s dulling the mind, I had forgotten to make an at home visit to an elderly (sometimes hard to get along with) lady member of FBC who had been on hospice for a couple of weeks. When I realized my mistake, I panicked. The Holy Spirit said to go to her and her husband in humility and ask forgiveness. My knees were jelly, but God assured me that I had His promise in that verse and the strength to ask forgiveness. Weeping, I begged that I might be forgiven. I stood weeping until forgiveness was given.
Can you truly say with the Apostle Paul that this is your conclusion, as well? When you quote a verse, you must understand what it is truly saying. Life will test your resolve. Is He enough for you? Can you, in all honesty, say; I can do all things (health, wealth, happiness, . . . sickness, poverty, painful relationships, financial ruin, persecution, violence, war, prison, and even death), . . . through Christ Jesus Who gives me strength, peace, joy, hope, and security in the midst of it all?
—Scripture, the best and most profitable place to hear God! Have you heard Him there? One of the most exciting things is hearing God by His Holy Spirit as He provides an application of His Word directly into your everyday living. When we meditate on the Scripture, we allow the Author to become our Explainer, our Interpreter, and the One Who applies the Truth to our lives. When we fellowship with the Spirit, the Scriptures come alive! Relevant! Exciting! And practical on a day-by-day basis!
Is He the strength of your life . . . all of your life? I pray that He is enough for you! Pray On!
