Through the Word in 2020 #71 - July 9 / I can do ALL things?

There are certain passages of Scripture which seem to take on a life of their own - wrestled out of their context and misapplied with frightening ease. And 2 of them appear in our reading today in Philippians 4:10-20. We’ll talk about that today on Through the Word in 2020. I’m Reid Ferguson.

I am reluctant to pass over Luke 5:27-39 because of the vast importance of our knowing our need of Christ if we are to be saved by Him. This is profoundly important and I would ask that you take some time to think on vss. 31 & 32 carefully. If you are not aware of your brokenness, sinfulness, alienation from God and lostness, you cannot be saved. Jesus only saves those who are in desperate need of Him. So too, the account of David’s numbering the people in 1 Chronicles 20-22 is packed with needed instruction. But due to the popular misuse of 2 verses in Philippians, I opted to fix our eyes there.

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” has become a popular and ubiquitous slogan. Irrespective of what Paul meant in this passage.

He was NOT, please hear me, not talking about jumping higher, running faster, getting better test scores, winning more games, outselling competitors, losing weight or doing more reps at the gym. This passage is about being able to serve Christ rightly regardless of external circumstances.

As with Paul, abounding and suffering need are the two spheres in which we encounter our severest temptations.

When in need we can feel shortchanged and sinned against - even by God. And in abundance and prosperity, we can feel privileged and self-confident; the two most perilous places we can be. How we need the Lord’s help in these hours. To teach us contentment that beards both of these ravenous lions in their dens. These are the “all things” Paul is referring to. And to ignore the peril of overcoming the spiritual pitfalls of either abundance or need is to leave us still drowning in the values of the culture around us - rather than seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Jesus didn’t die to make you successful - He died to save you from the just wrath of God, and to reconcile you to the Heavenly Father.

The 2nd one is vs. 19: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

This does NOT mean Christians are somehow exempt from material loss, financial hardship, physical ailment, adverse circumstances, loneliness or any other loss in life but this: The riches of Christ’s righteousness is all ours! Every REAL lasting, soul and eternal need is met in Christ Himself.

This is not a promise of material prosperity but of the full assurance of Christ’s sufficiency for our every spiritual need in living in this life - and bringing us to glory.

And please note the word “need.” He does not supply our every want, wish, desire or preference - but He does meet us in our every need. And as I said above every REAL lasting, soul and eternal need is met in Christ Himself. Oh that we would look to Him as our every sufficiency.

Think on these things today Beloved.

God willing, we’ll be back tomorrow.