Copyright 2017 by Shea Oakley<\/p>\n
All rights reserved<\/p>\n
In Philippians 4:13 the Apostle Paul tells us that we can do \u201call things\u201d through Christ. For centuries this promise has helped provide the faith that has enabled believer to accomplish tasks far beyond what they ever thought they could do in the context of Christian ministry. Unfortunately, like so many other Bible verses snatched out of context, this one has also been wrongly thought to mean something it does not.<\/p>\n
When seen in the context of all New Testament teaching on the subject of supernatural empowerment by the Spirit of God it becomes very clear that this verse refers specifically, and only, to those things that our Lord has truly called us to do. In our years as a Christian many of us have heard people exhorted to stand on Philippians 4:13 in such a way as to imply that it refers to being able to succeed at anything we want to do that is not inherently sinful. The error in this interpretation is actually so simple to refute that it is surprising such a view has appeared to hold any validity for Christian people who, one would think, also have the common grace gift of common sense.<\/p>\n
A bit of a hyperbolic example will serve well to explain the problem with taking the \u201call things\u201d verse to mean something it doesn\u2019t. Let\u2019s say that an earnest, if perhaps a bit naive, believer decides to take 4:13 literally as one that stands alone in the sense of its ultimate meaning. He or she then climbs atop a house, prays a sincere affirmation of the promise made in this verse, and then, in quiet determination, flapping arms vigorously, proceeds to jump off the roof in an attempt to fly. I think it safe to say that the laws of physics that God Himself has seen fit to enact will ensure in such a case, at best, an ambulance ride to the nearest hospital!<\/p>\n
I do not use this extreme example lightly. It is, of course, more than a little unlikely it would actually ever be attempted. Unfortunately what has not been unlikely, historically, are well-meaning believers bringing various types of harm on themselves trying to do something potentially dangerous to body and\/or soul based on a misreading of this verse. Further, such efforts, or their encouragement, also have the potential to harm others. <\/p>\n
If a person succeeds, for instance, in convincing another that some ministry is right for them based solely on their desire and on reciting \u201cI can do all things through Christ who strengthens me\u201d that person might be setting the other on a course to abject failure. This is because if someone is not truly called to a ministry by God He will not ultimately bless it with the kind of supernatural power that is needed to execute that ministry as effectively as it needs to be executed. The result can be extreme discouragement for the would be minister when the fruit of all succeeding effort does not achieve the expected results. Meanwhile those who are supposed to be the beneficiaries of said ministry might end up going away empty handed, either physically or spiritually, actually resulting in an expanding ring of discouragement.<\/p>\n
So, yes, we can do all things through the Son of God if He wills us to do it. This is why it is so important to use every type of godly wisdom when considering entering a particular kind of Christian service. In addition to using whatever divine discernment we may have already been granted we also need to seek Godly advice from mature believers, pray earnestly, and perhaps most of all, be a serious student of the Bible in a carefully holistic and fully contextual way. The whole counsel of Scripture must be brought to bear on enterprises we might at first take as obvious ministries for us to pursue. Otherwise we may find not just Philippians 4:13, but any number of other verses we decide to isolate from the rest of God\u2019s Word leading us down the wrong path\u2026.and the fault will be our own.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Copyright 2017 by Shea Oakley All rights reserved In Philippians 4:13 the Apostle Paul tells us that we can do \u201call things\u201d through Christ. For centuries this promise has helped provide the faith that has enabled believer to accomplish tasks far beyond what they ever thought they could do in the context of Christian ministry.… <\/p>\n