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.
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?
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