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

The Bondage: I have heard this verse in countless sermons and seen it on countless wall hangings and posters. In each case, it seems to imply that I can accomplish all tasks through Christ who strengthens me. If I can just stay "plugged in" and have enough faith, then I can do anything. I hate to say this, but this is a misunderstanding of the verse, and it's bondage. Let me explain.

If we believe the common understanding of this verse, what would we normally think when we find something we're no good at, and we fail? We have a couple of different possible reactions. First, we think that we must not be 'plugged in' adequately, or we're not trying hard enough. Our faith isn't good enough, and we're failing God. Our inability to accomplish this task is a testimony to our abject failure as Christians. God must be very disappointed in me because, after all, He expects me to be able to do "all things" through His Son, right?

Or, we think God has let us down. Everybody else can do all things through Christ who gives them strength. Where's God when I need Him? God isn't paying attention to me, or He just doesn't care, or He doesn't really have a plan for my life.

Satan will do all sorts of things with our heads, and will always take advantage of any opportunity he has to interfere with our relationship with God, but lets look at what that verse really means to find the freedom therein.

The Freedom: Paul is addressing the church of Philippi from prison. In the verse immediately preceeding verse 13, he describes the conditions, not only of his imprisonment, but also his whole life.
" I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need." (Phil 4:12)
Paul is specifically referring to his circumstances. He isn't referring at all to his abilities to accomplish tasks. Clearly, God can equip us to excel at anything He wants us to do, but He doesn't want me to be doing "all things." He wants me doing whatever it is He has planned for me since the foundation of the universe. I will be very good at that through God's gifts and provision, but not "all things." He is in total control of what I'm good at, and it will fit within His plan, not mine.

A better rendering of verse 13 is, "I can be content and satisfied in any and every circumstance through Him who strengthens me."

See the difference? This is huge, and it's total and absolute freedom when you see it that way. The misunderstanding of verse 13 is bondage whenever we fail at something. Failure is a part of life, and if you never fail, you're not stepping outside of your box often enough. Peter got out of the boat, didn't he? We can't be afraid of failure and fully serve God. Don't let the enemy tell you that your failure is a disappointment to God or an indication of your lack of faith. Use your failure to learn. If you maintain your positive, "press on" attitude in spite of your failure, then you can use your failure to glorify God! He loves that!

Paul wants us to know that when we hold on to Christ and tap into His strength, we too can be content, regardless of our circumstances. That peace and contentment in the face of life's challenges comes part-and-parcel with the true blessing of God, which is the promise and hope of eternal life and the life abundant filled with His Son.

Grace and peace...
Sue