Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
And Wednesday, the middle day of our work week has opened like the last two, hot and humid, but somewhat cloudy. It might therefore be a tad difficult catching your second wind. (smile) But let’s remember, as staunch and steadfast believers in Jesus Christ, we can do any and everything that He desires of us. The scriptures themselves promise us that, where they say, very unequivocally: ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ (Phil. 4:13)
And unless you sincerely believe that, and put it into action in your own life, you will be dreadfully shortchanging yourself and your Christian faith, for that’s one of the foundation pillars of our faith! However to properly understand that quote, one must first know why Bruh Paul said it. Immediately before those words, he had written these to the church at Philippi.
‘But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last your care of (concern for) me hath flourished again (revived); wherein ye were also careful (though you surely did care), but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want (in regard of need): for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know how to be abased (live humbly), and I know how to abound (live in prosperity): every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ (Phil. 4:10-13)
Now the gist of the story is that apparently the Philippians had earlier sent Bruh Paul some financial aid, and although they still cared very much for him, they never had the opportunity to do so again. And he’s telling them that he knows they care, and although he was glad for any gifts they sent him, he had however LEARNED to live contentedly in any state in which he found himself, be it in poverty or prosperity. But the crux of the matter is that he’s only able to do it with Christ’s help. It’s Christ who strengthens him to live successfully in any situation. And I emphasized LEARNED because one doesn’t just acquire that skill.
As the scholars explain: ‘The Greek here suggests that contentment is a lesson learned neither in a classroom or overnight, but through many practical life experiences.’ And that’s the gospel truth my people! We can’t learn to live sincerely and successfully for Jesus until and unless we go through a lot of eye opening and hair raising stuff and apply the tenets of our faith to help us get through them.
And here’s another interesting explanation from the scholars, re Bruh Paul’s ability to live a contented life. ‘They say: ‘Paul has acquired the skill required for successful living with little and with much, the latter probably being harder: “For one man who can stand prosperity, there are a hundred that will stand adversity” (Thomas Carlyle -Scottish Essayist, Historian and Philosopher 1795-1881).’ Now isn’t that an interesting supposition – that it’s harder to live in prosperity than to go through adversity? For some that might be true, while for others it might not. But that’s another philosophical question for another time. (smile)
And, for our further enlightenment, let’s look at the scholars’ explanation of Bruh Paul’s remark about being able to do all things through Christ who strengthens him. According to them: ‘The apostle’s ability of knowing how to live skillfully on little or in prosperity does not mean that he is a spiritual superman. The reason he can live in such extremes is not owing to his own ability. Rather he can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth him, thus enabling him to adapt to his various situations, and God gives him the strength to be content in them all, trying and perplexing though they may be.’
That means my fellow believers that we can do the same thing; live like Bruh Paul, successfully in any state in which we find ourselves, because the ability to do so doesn’t come from us, but from the strengthening hands of our wonderful Lord and Saviour. And I can personally attest to that, because I’ve gone through some really tough times in my life, where I didn’t know whether I was coming or going. But the wonder is that in some of those early times of want, I was not into Christ as much as I now am, but somehow I was able to be contented in them.
But what’s even more interesting is that in many of those tough times, after suffering for a while, some miraculous event always occurred to get me out of them. And I now realize that it was the Lord looking after me, although my faith was somewhat dormant. That’s why I can’t stop believing!
Ah mih friends, the Bible says a lot of things, gives a lot of promises, but to access many of them we have to be actively involved, or we will lose out on plenty marvellous stuff. It’s never easy… sorry, let me rephrase that. Whenever it seems too easy, remember there will usually come a time when we will have to pay for it, and the longer the time of repayment, the more expensive it will be. As the man says: ‘You can pay me now or pay me later…but later will be greater…’
And that’s the gospel truth my brethren! So please, let’s wake up to the reality of the situation, let’s see that our world is quickly sinking into the mire of evil and ungodliness and make a solid and faithful promise to do our best to stop that terrible slide, and sincerely believe that we can do it, through Christ who strengthens us! And we can…if we truly believe and are willing to work at it. Now let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus.
As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
Now, if we endure to the very end with Christ, then it’s been promised that that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. so let’s be wise and plan to meet that every end nuh! Much LOVE!…
we believers can change the world through Christ…one sacrifice at a time…
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