If you've been around church for any time, you have heard people quote Philippians 4:13 in reference to Jesus Christ.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
This verse has been popular to inspire people to accomplish their goals in life, but in the proper context, it does more than help you achieve your goals; it enables you to live in Christ every day with great success. Today, I pray that this verse will not just be a catchy saying you use to encourage yourself, although it will do that, but that it becomes part of your spiritual foundation. Words that are written on your heart and remain there when times are good and evil. I pray it becomes who you are and what you do in everything. To make this point, let's look at how the apostle Paul used these words to live his life.
How did Paul use Philippians 4:13 in his life?
To help us understand the fullness of what Paul is saying, we need to reference the verses before verse thirteen. To set up verse thirteen, the apostle Paul rejoiced in how he learned to be content in great need as he preached the gospel to the whole world. He knew how to live in the high places and the lows. Whether it was hard or easy, when Paul said that he could do all things in Christ who strengthens him, he talked from great experience, not just quoting a verse and hoping for the best.
Paul was often in low places and suffered hunger and, at times, had many needs because of his zeal to live for Jesus and proclaim His name. He suffered many things for Christ but learned he could make it through those times because he found his strength in Jesus Christ.
Philippians 4:10-13 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Paul didn't have to wear the scripture on a t-shirt; he wore it on his heart and trusted the Lord no matter what came his way. Through all the good and bad that the world offered, Paul was faithful to live and walk in Christ. In that mindset of the Spirit, he accomplished everything Jesus told him to do.
The secret to Paul's accomplishments was the words of Jesus that he lived by. He trusted the words of Christ in every situation, no matter how bad the situation looked. The words of Jesus became Spirit and Life to him. That's why he was in Christ at all times and lived in the Spirit of Christ, which are the words of Jesus Christ written in his heart.
We can do all things through Christ.
When you go through these writings on this website, you are reading the words of my testimony that have helped me say, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I have learned that the Spirit of Christ can accomplish anything once the veil of flesh is removed from our consciousness. There are no limits to the words Jesus speaks to us if we can believe.
Learning to live and walk in the Spirit of Christ starts with receiving His words, which are His teachings or sayings. Upon hearing the word of Jesus, the faith of Christ is activated in you, and you are off to live in Christ and begin learning that all things are possible in Him.
We could approach this thought in many ways, but let's use a simple example of how to apply the words of Jesus Christ to your life.
Let's apply Philippians 4:13 to our life with the words of Jesus.
We've all read the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5 on what many call the "Beatitudes." Let's use these teachings of Jesus to apply this principle that Paul taught us. In Matthew 5, Jesus describes the "Blessed Ones" by saying you are blessed if you become one of these.
Matthew 5:2-12
And Jesus opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
When we use the words of Jesus and interchange what Jesus said with what Paul said, we can learn how to be the "Blessed Ones" through Jesus Christ.
I am blessed because,
I can be poor in spirit through Christ who strengthens me, and receive the kingdom of heaven.
I can mourn through Christ who strengthens me, and be comforted.
I can be meek through Christ who strengthens me, and inherit the earth.
I can hunger and thirst for righteousness through Christ who strengthens me, and be filled.
I can be merciful through Christ who strengthens me, and receive mercy.
I can be pure in heart through Christ who strengthens me, and see God.
I can be a peacemaker through Christ who strengthens me, and be called the son of God.
I can be persecuted for righteousness sake through Christ who strengthens me, and receive the kingdom of heaven.
I can be reviled and persecuted, and suffer false accusations for His name through Christ who strengthens me, and rejoice and be glad and I can receive a reward in heaven.
I can be blessed through Christ who strengthens me.
Many people may not think it's good to be poor or mourn or be persecuted, but when you are in Christ, you can and will do all these things through Him. The good news is that in Him is where you also get your strength to do whatever He asks you.
As you learn the words of Jesus and apply them to your life, you will see a great change in your perception. Whether high or low, His strength will lift you up to the heavenly places He's called you to walk in. It's time to continue in His truth consistently and be the doer He's called you to be. If we have all these things written in our hearts, what stops us from doing all things for Jesus Christ?