I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
Consider the difference between enabling and empowering. The dictionary tells us enabling is making something easy for the other person. It is bringing the task or duty within their abilities and talents so they are not pressured. It also tells us that empowerment is the giving of authority, ability and strength to accomplish a task. That is what Christ has done for us.
Jesus has not whittled the task down to our size. He has not made it easy for us. He has empowered us to become like Him. Jesus is the chief source of empowerment. When He sent His Church to preach the Gospel He did it on the basis “All authority has been given to Me…” Matthew 28:18.
God has given us more than small problems that we can handle. He has made us more than conquerors in the face of things we don’t always even understand. The Greek word is transliterated hyper-nikē. It means super-conquerors. The idea of Philippians 4:13 is that I can live through any difficulty because of the strength Jesus has given me. It is part of the promise that where and when I am weak Jesus is strong. Like Paul I want to glory only in Christ. My boast is that despite my obvious weaknesses Jesus has made me effective in His kingdom and will continue to pour His strength into me as I follow His lead.
This verse is the other side of what Jesus was teaching us when He told His disciples He was the Vine and they were His branches. Without the vine the branches are kindling for the fire. Without Christ we are ineffective in the Kingdom of God while we are in this world and unfit for the Kingdom in the next world without end. With the Vine I can survive and even thrive in any circumstance.
Enduring All Things In Christ,
Pastor Jason
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