I can do all things in Christ

Welcome to the Rapid Bull, daily edition, where we provide a quick biblical interpretations and applications.

This is a ministry of striving for eternity. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

That's what Philippians 4 .13 says. And many people use that, or should I say, misuse that, to say that they can do anything.

Really? Anything? You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you? Okay, flap your arms and act like a bird.

Let's see you fly. No, you can't do all things through Christ. People use this to try to say that they could do whatever, and they're just saying they can do it.

But this has a context. What's the context? Here's Paul in prison. He has

Epaphroditus taking care of him. He had money that was provided for him from the Philippians that was there to take care of his needs.

Now Epaphroditus has to go back home. And here he is taking the money that he would have had to care for him.

He's got to go with him. He's thanking them for the money that they had provided as Epaphroditus goes home.

But what is he doing? They're worried about the fact that he's going to be without. And he says in verses 12,

I know how to be brought low. I know how to abound. I know in every circumstance

I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. The issue is that he was talking about having a lack, but saying that he can do even when he is without proper means of taking care of himself.

He is still with Christ, and Christ will strengthen him. It's in the case of having a lack where you have nothing but dependence upon God.

This podcast is part of the Striving for Eternity ministry. For more content or to request a speaker or seminar to your church, go to strivingforeternity .org