“Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to jump tall buildings in a single bound, this is a call for SUPER-CHRISTIAN! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”
If this is your interpretation of Philippians 4:13, read on for another view.
The power of Jesus in the hearts of His believers is indeed an awesome thing, but is leaping over tall buildings or tall problems what this verse really is about? Let’s look at the context of this famous verse find the heart of the message.
Paul writes from his prison cell to the church at Philippi. He is telling them what we all need to practice: Rejoice in the Lord always. Be gentle to everyone. Don’t be anxious. Pray. Be thankful. Talk to God. Let God’s peace guard your heart. Think about noble and pure things. Live the way you have been taught. (Philippians 4:4-9) And then he shares: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” And because of this he concludes: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (v 11-13)
Rather than being a ‘superhero’, Paul is sharing a much deeper and resilient truth about enduring struggles. It is the truth of the contented heart, the heart that chooses peace over anxiety, joy in the face of sorrow, purity when surrounded by corruption, gentleness in a harsh world, thanksgiving instead of bitterness, prayer before action. Paul’s not rejoicing because his circumstances suddenly improved. He rejoices in learning the secret of being content in trusting God in all things. It is the spring of that refreshes us and protects us from the sorrow of discontent.
Perhaps the power of contentedness is not so much in ‘doing’ but in ‘being able’ to endure all things. Content in trusting His perfect will and His overcoming power, we can endure cancer, lose our job, suffer financial difficulty, be rejected by others…the list goes on to include “all things, in Christ who strengthens me.”
The power of “I can do all things in Christ” is not what we can do by flexing our muscles or working harder. It is not about us victoriously achieving our own dreams and ambitions. It is about humbling ourselves before God, trusting Him to accomplish HIS plan salvation, trusting what Christ already has done and will continue to do in and through me for HIS perfect purpose. It comes from learning the secret of being content, trusting in Jesus.
What do you need to be content? Maybe, like Paul, you feel like you’re in a prison. Can you find a contented trust there? Let God speak to your heart and discover His ‘secret’ power for living content and victorious…through all things.