ADEQUATE FOR EVERY SITUATION IN HIM
Phil. 4:13
Morning Meditation 6/6/16
Verse 13 says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Paul was anything but a bragger. He had just written to them in 3:3: “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” So we are not talking about self confidence here, we are talking about faith in the Lord’s presence and enabling power to make Paul adequate for every situation.
The words “I can do all things” (ischuo) translate a verb that means, “to be strong, to have power as shown by extraordinary deeds, to be able.” It is a present active indicative verb. The active voice means that the subject acts of its own volition and the present tense means that he continues to do it. Let me restate this statement: “I am continually able, have the power, to do all things.” The words “all things” (pas) mean “each and every.” Paul was confronted with no situation that he was not up to. He accepted life, including the trials and the bad times as being allowed of God, and was convinced that God would not allow anything to confront him that he would not be able to cope with.
The words “through Christ” identify the source of Paul’s strength. The preposition “through” is the translation of the Greek preposition “en.” Most of the time it is translated by our English preposition “in.” The word “through” in our KJV is usually the translation of the Greek preposition “dia” which means “through” like going through a house or going through something. The Greek preposition “en” is found in the phrases “in Christ” 77 times from Acts to First Peter. This is not counting the times it is found in phrases like “in Him.” “En” is a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality.”
Every saved person is in Christ: 2 Cor. 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” So what Paul is saying here applies Scripturally to anyone who is in Christ. Paul is acknowledging the teaching of Christ in this statement. John 14:20: “At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” John 15:4: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” John 17:20-23: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” This is not just an idea. It is a truth that describes Christ’s availability to us as believers in a our world of reality. Jesus is alive in every Christian and is the source of strength to enable him to face any situation in life in the will of God.
The words “which strengtheneth me” describe Christ as being the source of Paul’s strength. The word “strengtheneth” (endunamoo) is from a word from which we get our word “endue.” It means “to be strong, endue with strength, to strengthen.” Paul is writing this letter from prison. He is enabled to say in Phil. 1:12 “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;” If you were thrown into prison for witnessing, could you write a letter to your church and say, “Don’t worry about my situation. The gospel is being advanced because of my being put in prison. I am having great opportunities to witness. Christians outside are being embolden to speak of Christ because of my willingness to go to jail (1:14). And oh yes, in case they kill me I just want to leave this testimony behind. I am really caught in a fix for I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ which is far better (1:23). However, don’t worry. The Lord just told me I am more profitable to him alive than dead (1:24) so I won’t be going home this time. There is something you can do for me that will make me very happy. Rejoice in the Lord always (4:4).” Could you write a letter like that? The fact is, Paul has just told us the secret of his power to do this. He is being endued with power from the indwelling Christ. And he is also in you. So you have the same source of strength Paul had if you are a Christian.
This is also a confession of faith: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” It is either a confession of faith or a boast. We know it is not a boast. Paul had faith in Christ’s presence within to enable him and make him adequate for every situation with which he was confronted.
Faith is what makes the power of his presence available for every situation in life. His presence in us means that he is always available. But the only thing that will make his availability available for each situation is faith. Faith is the hand that reaches out to receive from him what is needed for each situation. If this is true, what is the problem with the average Christian’s apparent weakness? That is a good question and it does need to be answered.
Peter walked on the water as recorded in Matthew 14:29. But in the very next verse we are told that Peter began to sink. Now lets notice the steps that took place. Jesus came walking on the water to the disciples who were struggling against contrary winds and troubled waters. They thought he was a spirit. Jesus revealed himself to them as Jehovah God when he said, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” The words “it is I” translate “ego eimi” which is simply “I am..” When God said this to Moses in the burning bush, it was enough to convince Moses that he could do the job of delivering Israel. Is this a restored self confidence on Moses part? No. He just discovered that God was making himself available to faith so that every situation that he will face in the process of Israel’s deliverance God will be with him. Jesus says to the frightened disciples who were no match for a troubled sea and strong and contrary winds that he is available. Then Peter, inspired by the moment, said, “If it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” Jesus said, “Come.” And immediately Peter jumped over the side and began to walk on the water. But as he began to walk he was distracted by the wind and the waves (vs 30). He began to sink when he allowed himself to be distracted by the circumstance. Then he cried out, “Lord, save me.” And Jesus did.
