Philippians 4:11-13
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 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. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
One of the more popular scriptures in church today is Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Preachers, teachers and saints of all sizes love to quote this marvelous expression. At first glance it offers endless inspiration, aspiration and self fulfillment. Just saying, I can do all things is empowering. What more could we ask for? But, if we look at this quote in context, it says much more about the character of the Apostle than it does the power of the statement. It is a proclamation of dedication and obedience to the process of God to make our lives what He wants them to be. At the end of the day, what Philippians 413 is saying is, we are not our own. (I would urge everyone to take a look at this link https://youtu.be/oE9qqW1-BkU to get a clearer picture of what the letter to the Philippians is all about.)
It’s amazing how often we take a scripture that (at face value) sounds amazing and repurpose it to meet our own personal agendas. But in doing so we risk articulating a point that sounds good but is not true. Here’s when the old adage, “it’s not what an author said, but what he’s saying”, comes to bear. Context matters. Any shifting of context changes the message. And in the case of Philippians 413, Paul is definitely not supporting a position of invincibility, favor or spiritual superiority. If anything, he’s saying the exact opposite.
To understand Paul’s position a bit better, you really have to read this entire letter. It’s one of his prison epistles; and in this particular correspondence he’s challenged to get a group of staunchly patriotic residents from a military town to embrace the idea of a new monarch and king. In matter of fact, he was basically presenting the idea of governmental overthrow. Which is why he was in jail. Paul preached a coming kingdom where Jesus would be king. Clearly that would be offensive to any seated ruler. But that is the gospel message isn’t it?
Paul reflects on his predicament by musing over life and death issues, and concludes: For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain (1:21). In this expression he clearly positions himself as a humble servant and willing martyr for the cause of Christ. While he’s hopeful he’ll be able to get back to work, he’s not trying to escape anything. So, now when we look at the statement, I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me, we see a man definitely standing up for what he knows to be true, no matter what fate awaits him. If things turn out “good”, with Jesus on his side, he’s got that covered. And if things aren’t as favorable, he’s okay with that as well.
Now let’s you and I revisit this statement for a moment and see where it brings us. Though it’s often used to encourage us to use the power within to bring us out of bad situations, we now know that is but a small fraction of the meaning of the verse. Escaping hardships, troubles, trials and tribulation is but one facet of this thing called salvation. Most certainly the Lord is a deliverer, healer, comforter, provider and gracious Lord. But he is also our Sovereign King. And as Ruler, God and Eternal Majesty, we serve at his discretion. Our lives and our pathways are not our own. We are soldiers of the Kingdom, fighting for our righteous King.
I hope you didn’t miss the irony of the story of Paul in Philippi as it compares to our similar story in the world today. Just like Paul was faced with rampant nationalism and devout devotion from the residents he encountered, we are faced with the exact same spirit today. Nationalism has run amuck almost everywhere in the world. And I dare say the United States is among some of the more guilty countries. We place the flag and our cultural heritage almost as high as we place the cross. But at the end of the day, Jesus is coming to abolish and end our governance in place of Kingdom theocratic rule. A kingdom where Jesus is priest, prophet, Lord and King. There will be no elections, democracy, socialism, communism or other dictator. Just Jesus.
So, dear Children of the Most High, next time we quote Philippians 413, think of it in its total context. No matter what I’m going through, what the outcome, how painful, dreadful, horrible, happy or sad, I can do (endure) all things through Christ that strengthens me.
God Bless
