Oh, That’s What That Verse Means…

One of the most oft quoted Bible verses is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. You’ve probably heard that many, many times.  It sounds pretty good doesn’t it?  Of course, you know that it doesn’t mean you can leap tall buildings in a single bound or run a 10 second 100 meter dash.  It doesn’t mean that you can compose a symphony or paint a masterpiece. So, if it’s not a guarantee for God to “do anything we want”, what does it mean and how do we apply it?  As we begin a new paragraph in Philippians chapter 4 Paul begins by commending the Philippians on their generosity in supplying his needs.  Here is what he writes in verses 10-13 of chapter 4:  “¹⁰ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last yourcare for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. ¹¹ Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: ¹² I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. ¹³ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Paul was not a financially rich man as he traveled the world starting Christian churches.  He also suffered great persecution.  Note that he had learned to be content in whatever condition he found himself and I assure you that most of the time, in relation to the world’s goods and comforts, Paul was abased more than he abounded. He was hungry more than he was full and suffered need often.  But he had learned to be content in all those difficult situations.  He had learned to lean on God during the difficult times. He learned that he could do all things through Christ who gave him the strength…not for athletic events or academic competitions (though God can and should receive the glory for all that we do), what was on Paul’s mind as he wrote these famous words was the ability that God gives to endure hardship and suffering for the cause of Christ.  Yes, God can do all things through Christ; however, the context of this amazing statement is not personal accomplishment but personal hardship…doing what God desires despite difficulty.  That’s what Paul has in mind and the promise is still valid today.  If you didn’t know before, now you know where this verse “comes from”.  Please go forth and rely on God’s strength in the difficult days of life in order to serve Him faithfully.