“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13. I’ve noticed that sometimes this Scripture is used in such a cliché way. People quote it but they don’t execute it. Basically, all they’re doing is lip service – something that I have been guilty of. So, I’m speaking from experience. It’s important, or rather crucial, that we move past just quoting Scripture but living Scripture. We cannot be like the pharisees where we’re just looking the part and not being the part. In Matthew 23:25-26 Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their hypocrisy: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.” Jesus doesn’t want us to be people that pretend to love Him. He wants us to fully and completely put our whole trust in Him. Which means if we truly believe in Yahweh, we truly believe that He’s our Lord and Savior, we truly believe that He’s our Protector, we truly believe that He loves and cares for us, we then can truly stand with all confidence that – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
This Scripture was exemplified for me during Journey to Faith Ministries “So You Got Talent 2” event yesterday. The showcase brought awareness for autism and special needs and was open to performers with or without a disability. Each performer showcased themselves standing on the word of God that they can and will do all thing through Christ who gives them strength, purpose, provision, and guidance. Each performer shared their God given gift with us, and they weren’t afraid to boast about the goodness of God – despite their challenges, despite people thinking they’re “different”, despite not fitting into society’s norm, despite self-doubt. They proclaimed, like one of the performer’s Drew said, “we are all made in God’s image!” And because of that – we all truly can if we dare to trust in the Lord – do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
