I Can Do All Things Through Christ

by Mitchell Tan
March 27, 2019

LEARNING TO BE CONTENT IN WHATEVER STATE WE MAY BE IN

Paul is a good example of someone who had learnt to be contented in all life’s situations.

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content”
Philippians 4:11

1. PAUL’S EXAMPLE IN NOT FOCUSING ON HIS PERSONAL NEEDS

The apostle Paul had received a monetary gift from the Philippians in his time of need in which he greatly rejoiced. It was not so much the gift that mattered to him but that they had the opportunity to show care for him. His focus was not on his own needs even though he was in prison.

2. LEARNING THROUGH THE MANY CIRCUMSTANCES OF LIFE

Paul had gone through all kinds of situations of life. He had personally learnt to be contented with what he was experiencing. His joy was not in his circumstances but in the Lord (Philippians 4:4).

MAKING PRACTICAL ADJUSTMENTS IN LIFE’S CIRCUMSTANCES

“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”
Philippians 4:12

1. KNOWING HOW TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS

The word “know” in Greek has the idea of experiential knowledge. Paul’s experiences of making adjustments had a practical effect on him. He knew how to live with nothing much in life or to abound with much in life. It was the most practical thing for him to do.

2. LEARNING HOW TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS

Paul had learnt the “secret” of making effective adjustments in life and ministry. He had learnt to live with having a full stomach or with a near empty one. He was able to live with situations where he had much in life and vice versa. This was Paul’s faith in action. It did not take a lot out of Paul to be able to do this. Making such adjustments is something all of us can do too.

FINDING THAT STRENGTH FROM CHRIST TO DO ALL THINGS

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13

1. HAVING THE ABILITY TO DO ALL THINGS

Paul had found that enabling power of the Lord to do all things. It was not hard for him to make all the adjustments that was needed in life because it was Christ who was helping him.

2. RELYING ON THE LORD JESUS WHO CAN STRENGTHEN US

The Lord Jesus was his constant source of strength. Paul sought to always rely on His grace and strength. He was a partaker of His grace (Philippians 1:7) He had a tremendous faith in the Lord Jesus. It was through Him that He found the strength and vigour to make all the practical adjustments.

3. HAVING THE SAME ABILITY AS PAUL

We too can find the grace and strength from the Lord to match the various challenges of life and ministry. Let’s seek to do all things through the Lord’s grace and strength. Let’s seek to take practical steps to do well in our studies and service to God through Christ who enables us.

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