(Read Philippians 4)
How many times have we seen an athlete, after big moments of a big game, emotionally thank God for allowing him or her to succeed? Often, it begins by praising God for what just happened. Don’t get me wrong, I still do this, but is it Biblically correct, and is it right to do so?
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
Philippians 4:11-12
Philippians was a letter the Apostle Paul wrote to a church in the city of Philippi. In chapter 4, Paul’s closing thoughts were similar to the message at the beginning of the chapter. Paul was teaching his readers that their circumstances shouldn’t dictate their happiness. He gave examples of what he had learned — to be content regardless of the current status of his life. Whether he was hungry or well-fed, free or incarcerated. Paul understood the pain and persecution from both sides. Before his Damascus road experience, he was the one persecuting those who followed Jesus, but later, as a follower of Jesus, he suffered physical torment, mental torment, was bitten by a venomous snake, was shipwrecked, whipped, stoned, and imprisoned. Most scholars also believe that Paul was executed sometime in Rome in the 1st Century. That didn’t matter. Paul taught that his contentment was not based on his circumstances but on a person: Jesus.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
This particular verse holds a prominent place in the Bible. However, many of us tend to overlook its complete message. There are two essential elements within this verse: first, being empowered by God to accomplish “all things,” and second, recognizing that it ONLY happens if God allows it to. It’s not a blanket guarantee of success in every endeavor. Paul intended these words as a source of encouragement, reminding us to find contentment in all situations, as our hope and joy come from an unwavering Savior who remains constant.
What we have to remember when thinking about this verse is the context in which we can do “all things.” We can do all things through Christ if it is in God’s plans. Along our path of faith, we will face many challenges, moments of fear, and temptation — in these situations, we should always look to Christ and overcome these tribulations. Paul didn’t mean “all things” that suit our needs. Winning games, getting a job, closing a deal, being successful. “All things” really refers to how God will use us to serve Him. Things we do for God, not the other way around.
Paul acknowledged that his ability to endure and accomplish all things does not rely solely on his strength but on the empowerment he received through his relationship with Jesus Christ. This verse encourages our reliance on Christ’s strength, guidance, and grace in every aspect of life. It highlights a mindset of trust and dependence on God, regardless of the situation. Philippians 4:13 tells us to have faith in God’s strength and approach life’s challenges confidently, knowing that we are not alone in their journey.
In 2013, Oklahoma City Thunder’s MVP forward, Kevin Durant, gave God a massive shout-out on a nationally televised post-game interview. He was on fire during that time, averaging more than 30 points a game. ESPN/NBA analyst Doris Burke asked him, “What goes into a streak like this?” He replied simply, “I Thank God, that’s all I can say, Jesus Christ.” Burke followed with a laugh asking, “Okay, thank you. You had nothing to do with it?” Durant was unmoved. He politely smiled and answered, “No, nothing, it’s all Him,” then walked away.
Ten years later, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes also gave God the glory after a remarkable, somewhat miraculous comeback in the Superbowl. He is well-known for crediting God for all his success, and in his MVP acceptance speech, he didn’t disappoint. “First, I want to thank God for giving me this platform,” he said. Christian believers don’t blink an eye when we hear this; of course, we give God the nod. But it’s probably off-putting for a secular audience to hear any athlete praise God during a public interview.
“I’m not playing for the applause of men. I’m playing for the applause of one: my Savior.”
Tim Tebow
Tebow is a well-recognized athlete-celebrity and Christ follower. His time in the NFL and Major League Baseball gained more attention from his open and prolific commitment to his faith than his limited success. Despite his fame, he definitely rubs some the wrong way. I’ve heard people saying he should spend more time practicing and less time praying. They don’t see his humility and loyalty to his beliefs. They think he’s a show or utter nonsense. The point is that these athletes praised God for His plans and work, not theirs.
Gaining a true understanding of a scripture passage requires examining its context. Without context, we risk overlooking the profound depth and beauty of the scripture and may fail to grasp its overarching message. In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he endeavors to convey to his church, as well as to us today, that we can experience peace, joy, and contentment regardless of our circumstances. He emphasizes that having Jesus alone is sufficient; it is the ultimate fulfillment and source of everything we need.
The sovereignty of God ensures that He orchestrates events according to His divine plan. When things align with our own plans, we can inadvertently place ourselves as the priority. Personally, I have relied on Philippians 4:13 through prayers before officiating weddings, delivering significant speeches, and participating in marathons. Out of the five marathons I completed, one proved disastrous as I ran out of energy and had to walk the last 5+ miles. This experience left me questioning my inability to succeed. Did it reflect God’s failure to grant me strength? No. I used to attribute my failures to my own shortcomings and my successes to God’s intervention. However, Philippians 4:13 challenges that perspective and invites deeper reflection.
God never promises to fix or take away all our earthly problems. How much we pray, believe, or quote the Bible doesn’t earn merit and good times. Bad things will still happen. We may lose the game. We might flunk the test. Our spouse, kids, and friends may hate us. The job might fall through. We may not have enough money. We might go hungry. Life will happen.
Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.
2 Corinthians 3:4-5
This remarkable passage from Paul serves as a reminder for us to recognize our limitations. We are not meant to face life’s challenges relying solely on our own strength. Instead, it is when we turn to Christ, who embodies boundless power and strength, that we find the ability to overcome our trials. We are encouraged to actively engage in our journey, placing our trust in Christ, and stepping out in faith, fully aware that He will supply the strength we require. Through our partnership with Christ, we are liberated from the constraints of our weaknesses and empowered to embrace the fullness of our potential.
I decided to write on this passage to learn more about it and dive deeper into common misconceptions about Scripture. Many people take it out of context, missing the surrounding verses and broader context. Many interpret “all things” as a gift to them and overemphasize their individual achievements. Most of all, and I think the most significant omission, is neglecting the role of grace. The ability to do “all things” is not a result of our efforts alone; it is only by God’s grace that “things” happen.
Greg Laurie wrote, “This verse is not a license to be lazy or to give up on our responsibilities.” It’s not a self-help phrase to motivate ourselves or to try to expect to do things based on our own strength.
Can we do all things? For us, no; for God, yes.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Philippians 4:19-20
Key Applications:
- With Christ’s strength, we can overcome any obstacle or challenge. We shouldn’t expect personal victories but victories for God. Pray this verse daily this week and allow perseverance, determination, and reliance on God’s power to help you through the biggest challenges.
- The importance of faith in Christ as the source of strength for us encourages us to rely on God’s power in all aspects of life, trusting that He will equip us for whatever we encounter.
- Read Philippians 4. Put God’s will first and your will second.
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.