“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 This is the attitude and conviction that the Apostle Paul had, what are our attitudes?
Paul begins by saying, “I can do all things,” but we must not confuse this with self-confidence. That is not to say that self-confidence is altogether bad, it just isn’t Paul’s message. Surely we can see that Jesus is at the center of Paul’s message, but the individual is also important.
We know that we can do nothing to save ourselves with our own wit, wisdom and strength. The same is true in our efforts to see others saved. We do not possess the power to save others from within ourselves … but in Christ and through His message, we can accomplish all things that are according to His will.
Where would Paul have been if he had relied on his abilities alone, even as formidable as they may have been? In Philippians 4:13, he acknowledges that it was through Christ that he accomplished great things for Him.
Even so, it seems we must recognize that Christ needs for us to act on His behalf. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Isn’t this true? If this were not true, perhaps the Holy Spirit would have led Paul just to write, “Christ can do all things” … which of course, is also true.
I do not understand this passage as merely a confession of Paul’s faith in his personal life; instead, the Apostle Paul is imploring us to have the same faith in our lives. If we put our faith in Jesus, with never a doubt, we can through Him conquer sin, change our lives, introduce change to the lives of others, and be certain of our home in Heaven.
It would be good for everyone to memorize Philippians 4:13 and when we each have trials in our lives, recall the words as a source of strength. Placing God’s Word in our hearts and minds is one way that we gain strength from the Lord. The Psalmist writes, “Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you“. Psalm 119:11
We all ought to live our lives saying “… through Christ who strengthens me.“