'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me' (Phil. 4.13).
All sorts of nonsense unfortunately have been inferred from these words of the apostle Paul in Philippians. One bit of silliness is the preaching that every saint of God 'can do all things they wish to do' in Christ.
I suspect that this teaching comes from the 'health and wealth' theological quarter but wherever it comes from, that type of motivational preaching that seeks to use this verse to encourage God's people to 'reach for the stars' and 'fly like eagles', etc. is unsound.
Another possible and associated source is 'possibility thinking' ideology and my remarks above and below also include this understanding too.
My main objections follow these paths:
A). These interpretations are not true to the context of this verse
The question of the meaning of 'all things' is implicitly answered by every interpreter and reader of Philippians 4.13.
Just a moment's thought though would surely incline one to the fact that 'all things' does NOT mean every thing possible. We can't decide to jump off a high bridge and expect to escape all injury on the basis of the 'all things'. We are limited by our creatureliness because we are creatures; the creator is God alone.
Definitively, Paul's words are limited by the immediate biblical context (Phil 4.11-12) which too often isn't even read! This context speaks of Paul's being in want as well as abundance and his having learned to be content whatever his situation. Would that was each Christian's testimony!
But, his testimony is that 'I can do all this [i.e., accept both want and abundance] through him who gives me strength [NIV]'.
B). These interpretations are not true to the overall tenor of Scripture
I read the scriptures and although we can meet the patriarchs and judges of the Old Testament who did great things for God. However, their exploits were never done with the spirit of a recent US presidential candidate who said in 2008, 'We can do it', which is hallmark of practical atheism.
Some Christian teaching today seems to want to be among those who can sing with Frank Sinatra, 'I did it my way'.* My technique, my application, my resolutions, my method, my (secret) knowledge got me to the line.
We have to get this one thing into our hearts; none of these things count with God! We have to again get into our hearts who God is. I fear we have lost that sense of the majesty, the glory, the spendour and the fear of the Lord that permeates the Scriptures. When mere mortals met angels they were terrified! When they met the Lord, they encountered the holiness of God and fell prostrate at his feet.
The, 'we can do it' mantra is the old adamic spirit showing itself in its dulled sheen. (And of course, 'we' haven't been able to do it!)
God wants all the glory to be his because it rightfully belongs to him; whereas, the flesh wants to rob God of his supreme position.
Let's not be found among those who are caught by the devices of Satan but be among those who are fully knowledgeable of his wicked snares.
Let us put on 'the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires (Roms 13.14, RSV).
*Did you know that this song is the most popular song being played at funerals nowadays? The song for Christians should be, 'He did it His way'!
I suspect that this teaching comes from the 'health and wealth' theological quarter but wherever it comes from, that type of motivational preaching that seeks to use this verse to encourage God's people to 'reach for the stars' and 'fly like eagles', etc. is unsound.
And yes, it is bound to lead to eventual disappointment and disillusionment in the hearers that seek to follow the advice.
Another possible and associated source is 'possibility thinking' ideology and my remarks above and below also include this understanding too.
My main objections follow these paths:
A). These interpretations are not true to the context of this verse
The question of the meaning of 'all things' is implicitly answered by every interpreter and reader of Philippians 4.13.
Just a moment's thought though would surely incline one to the fact that 'all things' does NOT mean every thing possible. We can't decide to jump off a high bridge and expect to escape all injury on the basis of the 'all things'. We are limited by our creatureliness because we are creatures; the creator is God alone.
Definitively, Paul's words are limited by the immediate biblical context (Phil 4.11-12) which too often isn't even read! This context speaks of Paul's being in want as well as abundance and his having learned to be content whatever his situation. Would that was each Christian's testimony!
But, his testimony is that 'I can do all this [i.e., accept both want and abundance] through him who gives me strength [NIV]'.
B). These interpretations are not true to the overall tenor of Scripture
I read the scriptures and although we can meet the patriarchs and judges of the Old Testament who did great things for God. However, their exploits were never done with the spirit of a recent US presidential candidate who said in 2008, 'We can do it', which is hallmark of practical atheism.
Some Christian teaching today seems to want to be among those who can sing with Frank Sinatra, 'I did it my way'.* My technique, my application, my resolutions, my method, my (secret) knowledge got me to the line.
The, 'we can do it' mantra is the old adamic spirit showing itself in its dulled sheen. (And of course, 'we' haven't been able to do it!)
God wants all the glory to be his because it rightfully belongs to him; whereas, the flesh wants to rob God of his supreme position.
Let's not be found among those who are caught by the devices of Satan but be among those who are fully knowledgeable of his wicked snares.
Let us put on 'the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires (Roms 13.14, RSV).
*Did you know that this song is the most popular song being played at funerals nowadays? The song for Christians should be, 'He did it His way'!
