Relying on the strength of Christ

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me

This verse is one of the most popular and best loved memory verses in the entire Bible.  It is a primary verse used to counsel depressed and suicidal people.  It carries a very positive message.  It is a ‘can do’ message, the kind of message you hear from motivational speakers.  Yet, motivational speakers, even some Christian leaders, tend to focus too much on the human role in positive thinking and minimize the role of Jesus Christ.  Notice that there is a balance, a partnership in this verse.  There indeed is the “I can do” part, but there’s also the “through Him (Christ)” part.  You have a part to play in meeting the challenges, facing the difficulties, overcoming the temptations, and living up the high standard of holiness imposed by God’s Word.  Thankfully, in addition, there is a partner in all this so that you can say exactly what this verse says.  But, depending on His strength does not allow you to abdicate personal responsibility and effort. 

Think of application of this verse to dieting.  You can lose weight without asking for Christ’s help, but you likely will be more successful if you rely on His strength.  Yet, if you only rely on His strength and do little, if any, self-discipline yourself, you are going to fail in your effort to lose weight.  Again this verse demands balance, a partnership between you and Christ.  This is similar to the “faith and works” principle found in James 2. 

What does Paul mean with the phrase "all things"?  Is he referring to anything you wish to do, including worldly things like making lots of money, becoming president of your company, achieving athletic goals, and the like?  Well, all things is everything so perhaps worldly accomplishments might be included.  However, be reminded of the context of this verse. In the previous two verses, he wrote about learning to be content regardless of his life's circumstances, be they good or bad, times of prosperity or times of lack and need. The context of Philippians 4:13 is facing whatever confronts you today, whether life is good or bad, whether you feel joyful or sorrowful, whether you have what you need or you don't.  Whatever the circumstance, you can face it boldly, not through your own strength, but through the strength of Christ.  Like learning to be content (v 11), you learn to rely on Christ for the strength you need to get through each day of your life.   

In John 15:5, Jesus said, “without Me you can do nothing”.  There are many things in your life that do not require the strength of Christ (although perhaps you might want to argue this).  However, these things that you can do alone, do they really matter in the long run and how strong are you when you have to face true calamities that life sooner or later will bring?  Paul is talking about coming to the bottom, as it were, of human resources and finding there the strength of Christ. 

Paul wrote the book of Philippians while in prison.  He may have reached the end of his own strength, albeit in chains, but His faith enabled Him to know that the Lord will take over and carry him through His strength.  What a wonderful thought that gives peace of mind when you have the positive resolve that Jesus Christ provides whatever strength you need in whatever circumstances you are dealing with. 

Where in your life right now do you need the strength of Christ?  What “things” does He want you to do through His strength?

"God never gives strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the minute"--Oswald Chambers.

"We can be tired, weary and emotionally distraught, but after spending time alone with God, we find that He injects into our bodies energy, power, and strength"--Charles Stanley.