Not Exactly!

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

I have seen this verse tattooed on people, displayed on screen savers, and hung on walls in homes and offices. One big problem with this verse is that most people don’t know what it means. Growing up, I loved watching nature documentaries in the 1960’s such as the Wild Kingdom and National Geographic, and my favorite show was by oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau. I loved the ocean as a boy and wanted to spend my life diving with the dolphins. The problem was I realized by the time I was 12; that I wasn’t smart enough to become an oceanographer. However, according to many, I just lacked faith in Christ because obviously, all believers know that they can do all things through Christ.

The meaning of the verse is quite clear. Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, was inspired to write that God would see him through all of the physical sufferings he was enduring for the cause of Christ. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth:

“Five times I received from the Jews forty  lashes     less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked⁠— a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my  countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the desolate places, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brothers.

27 I have been in labor and hardship, in many sleepless nights, in starvation and thirst,  often hungry, in cold and without enough clothing”      ( 1  Cor.11:24-27).

It was these sufferings and, ultimately, his death that God gave him the strength to endure all things. So, as we live our lives for Christ, take comfort in knowing   that God will provide you with the strength to live, suffer, and die for Him.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark