by Barbara Nuzum

Created on: August 21, 2009   Last Updated: August 30, 2010

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

A bold statement at first glance-I can do all things. It reflects modern sentiment, complete with emphasis on self-promotion. But then follows the humble "Through Christ who strengthens me". Now we realize that we have a statement of faith, trusting our abilities and lives to Jesus Christ.

The passage comes from the 4th letter to the Philippians that Paul wrote around 60 A.D. The little town of Philippi, located in Macedonia, was a small but devoted congregation, and the first European church. All of Paul's letters speak of implicit faith, trust, love, joy, righteousness and peace. Nowadays we would call these letters upbeat. They are a testament to Paul's unwavering faith and love for God.

 Paul did not start his life as a devoted Christian. Quite to the contrary, in his earlier life he was known as Saul, persecuting early Christians. He completed his life as a devoted follower of Christ, persecuted for his beliefs himself. Paul had to face and overcome horrendous difficulties, including eventual execution. His life story lends credibility to the words "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".

 It would be easy to fall into the trap of taking these words to mean that we can do whatever we feel we should, if only we believe strongly enough in God and Jesus Christ. If we pray enough, maybe we will get that coveted promotion, or that A on our college test, or maybe God will even allow us to win the lottery! And perhaps He will grant us earthly blessings during our lifetime.

 But not even Paul got to do everything he would have liked to do. He certainly did not get to avoid imprisonment and execution. But even those very unfortunate events he saw as a tool to spread his message of God and Jesus. God gave him the strength to do the things he wanted to do, which was to proclaim his faith, under very difficult circumstances.

 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"-Paul's message reaches out to us, still after centuries. It is a call to lead a life full of grace, faith, Christian love and righteousness, no matter what we may encounter. Paul thought of his life as a means to glorify God. In his second letter Paul writes work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. 

 We can do these things though Christ who strengthens us.

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