I Can Do All Things Through Christ

I have a friend who is a follower of Jesus like me. I consider this man more apt than me in many respects, yet I find him as easily beset by his own life and behavior as am I. The issue posed to me was this: that Philippians 4:13 applies to all things that I am supposed to do and not everything that I think can be done in a given period of time.

It is my self-expectation, and the expectation of God according to Scripture, that I live my life worthy of the calling of God. (thus the title of this textual soliloquy). Philippians 4:13 asserts, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Singularly taken, this verse at times encourages me that I when I rely on the power of Jesus through me, I will live out capabilities beyond my human ability. Not super-human strength necessarily, but God will supply all my needs during episodes of turmoil, grief, frustration, or any other hardship. However, abstracting this verse from its proper context can also yield undue anxiety or pressure.

The apostle Paul wrote the letter to the group of Christ-followers from a prison cell, a hellhole.  Before stating the "I can do all things" phrase, he prefaced this:

           "But I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 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." --Philippians 4:10-12

Paul's absolute assertion, "I can do ALL THINGS," then, is not related to accomplishments but to perseverance; not to some life crown or achievement or red badge of courage, but to hope, to simple joy that Jesus has (and will continually) supported me any and all circumstances. The emphasis in this section is for our hope and joy. If I, Paul, chief of sinners because I persecuted Christians mercilessly, have been given such joy in all circumstances, he will do the same for you.

As I consider the ramifications of Philippians 4:13 in its context, I must look to other Scriptural contexts. Please read these, knowing that throughout the Bible, there is ample support for my assertion that "I can do all things through Christ" is for my joy, not my pressure.

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort All who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness...that they may be called trees of righteousness..."

Colossions 1:10 "...[T]hat you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and long-suffering with joy..."

John 15:16 "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another."  (emphasis is on my responsibility, my calling, my appointing, not anyone else's).

II Corinthians 12:9 "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

II Timothy 4:16 "At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me..."  (despite human abandonment, Christ remained faithful).

Isaiah 62:4 "You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called Hephzibah ("My Delight") and your land Beulah for the Lord delights in you."

Isaiah 43:1 "But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are mine."

So, I will remain vigilant in my behavior, for He has chosen me to DO powerfully. I CAN DO all things, but He is the point of it. My doing all things for Christ is independent of others' behavior. No one else's behavior changes the fact that my Doing is to testify of Jesus.