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Daily Devotion: Philippians 4:13

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Philippians 4:13     "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."


As I look at this verse, I see three distinctive parts:

"I can do all things"
"Through Christ"
"Which strengtheneth me"

This verse is very familiar to God's people and it's a favorite for many. It speaks encouragement to our hearts; yet as I see it there is a definite assignment to these words. If my English grammar lessons serve me correctly, I can also speak this verse in this manner: "I can do all things which strengtheneth me through Christ." You see this verse does not give us an unlimited license to do as we please as long as we say it is through Jesus. Rather, those things which strengthen our Christian walk can be done, as we are led by the Spirit of God and strengthened through the grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This verse is written in a particular context.

I'm going to go back a few verses and hope we take time to read them in context with today's passage. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever THINGS are true, whatsoever THINGS are honest, whatsoever THINGS are just, whatsoever THINGS are pure, whatsoever THINGS are lovely, whatsoever THINGS are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these THINGS.  (9)  Those THINGS, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.  (10)  But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.  (11)  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  (12)  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in ALL THINGS I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need." (Philippians 4:8-12)

If I count correctly, the word, things, are mentioned 9 times before verse 13 which makes the tenth time. I put them in capital letters in order to stress the fact that  there are several "THINGS" mentioned in these verses such as honest, just, pure, lovely, good report, virtue, being in want and being content, being humbled and being exalted, being hungry and being full. Then the Apostle Paul concludes it by saying, "I can do ALL THINGS through Christ which strengtheneth me." Again I say it is very important to keep Scripture in the context where it is written. I understand there are many actions that come as a result of those things and it is very important that we understand that it is Jesus Who gives us the strength to do them. Our Heavenly Father provides all our needs in order to do those things. All glory for our Christian walk goes to our Father in Heaven, His blessed Son, and the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord for giving us the strength to be able to walk with you.

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