I Can!
I Can!
Paul makes a short and sweet statement, which is a theme of his letter to the Philippians: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Php 4:13) This lesson is entirely devoted to understanding what that means.
This lesson seeks to help us correctly understand the affirmation that Paul made. That does not mean that we are going to water it down or make it less wonderful than it is. On the contrary, we want to give the promise solidity, for some people have tended to trivialise it.
Although Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" we find that there were many things that Paul could not do, even things he earnestly desired to do. Let's look at some examples:
Example 1. Paul wanted to go to Bithynia, but the Holy Spirit prevented him (Acts 16:7). Paul wanted to go to Thessalonica, but Satan hindered him (1Th 2:18). Doing "all things through Christ" did not include going to certain places Paul wanted to go and minister.
Example 2. When Paul spoke to the elders of the church of Christ at Ephesus, with whom he had worked three years, he said that "wolves" or false teachers would come into the congregation and even rise up from within it. They would lead away disciples and apostasy would occur. Doing "all things through Christ" did not include being able to stop all error and apostasy in the church he had helped to build (Acts 20:28-31).
Example 3. Paul had a great sorrow because many of his Jewish brothers were unsaved, and apparently were determined to remain so. But Paul expresses great frustration and despair concerning this (Rom 9:1-3). Doing "all things through Christ" did not include his being able to bring all of his countrymen to Christ.
Example 4. Paul had a "thorn in the flesh" which he wanted to be rid of, and he prayed for healing but he was not cured (2Co 12:7). Doing "all things through Christ" did not include being able to heal himself of a physical ailment.
When Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" had he forgotten all those things that he was unable to do? No, he hadn't forgotten. It's just that the expression "all things" must be understood in a certain way, just as Paul understood it.
Part of this understanding lies in what God said to Paul in the last example above. God said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2Co 12:9). Paul's inability to do certain things actually enhanced Paul's strength to achieve God's purpose in his life, and that led him to rely more completely on the strength and power of Christ.
Whilst Paul could not avoid many trials and tribulations, he could endure "all things through Christ" and even rejoice "in the Lord always" (Php 4:4). Paul precedes his statement "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" by saying, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." (Php 4:11-13). And a little earlier he speaks of "the peace of God which surpasses all understanding" (Php 4:7). In spite of any difficulty or pain that he suffered, Paul was able, through peace and strength from the Lord, to continue being a faithful and true Christian.
There's another angle to this. Paul says, "In nothing shall I be ashamed... so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body" (Php 1:20). You will observe that "nothing" is the counterpart of "all things". The statement, "In nothing shall I be ashamed" is a reflection of the statement, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" In spite of all the weakness Paul suffered in the flesh, he was able through Christ to magnify and glorify God in his body dedicated to serving God.
When one says, "I can do all things through Christ", one should understand this to mean empowerment to endure all things, truly rejoice, be genuinely content in the Lord, and serve the Lord —no matter what circumstance we find ourselves in along life's journey. As in the case of Paul, so it is with us. God enables us, by his power and grace, to endure and achieve in both good times and bad.
Paul's statement, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" is of enormous encouragement to us. However we must apply it to those things which pertain to the glory of God and our peace and endurance through Christ unto the salvation of our souls.
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