I recently had a friend give an amazing sermon that brought in a different perspective of Philippians 4:13. In case you don't recognize this famous address, the verse is "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Penned by Paul, it is one of the most often used and more famous verses seen in popular culture.
What was presented to me this past weekend that I have never thought of before was that Paul did not say, "YOU can do all things through Christ who strengthens you". His declaration was a personal one. It was born out of experience. Do you see? The assertion has context.
Looking just a few verses before the famous line:
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want....
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:10-13
Paul says he can do all things through Christ who gives him strength BECAUSE he has actually lived in all circumstances in dependence of Jesus and experiencing his faithfulness first hand.
Do not misinterpret me- all of us CAN do all things through the strength and power and provision of Holy Spirit, but- in order to do them you have to do. Doing requires experience.
I could travel the world, influence a generation, have kids and get married- but could and have are two different realities.
Paul spoke from experience not from faith. His statement comes after his explanation of living in different conditions and circumstances that he learned to trust God in. This "contentment", I would suggest is the peace that passes all understanding. It isn't a contentment that settles, but one that rests in God's faithfulness.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Why? Because I've learned to trust Him.
When you speak this verse, do you speak it from experience? Calling to remembrance the times in your life you've leaned on the Lord and leaned on His faithfulness? Can you recall those times you learned of the goodness of God and saw Him move? Do you have times of need and times of plenty that you recognize Him in?
Paul's life was an example worth taking note of. His influence carried weight and the Lord moved mightily through Him. I believe that his increase in favor with man and with God had something to do with the fact that Paul's words carried the authenticity of experience. They were not just impactful and beautiful language- but words that offered impartation from a man that lived what he spoke and spoke from what he lived.
I wanted to start here because it matters how leaders and influencers live their lives. It MATTERS if they have history to back their words. It matters because we will be tested when competing voices come in for our attention and attempt to rob us of the freedom we have in Jesus.
Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong.
Galatians 4:12
Paul's concern for the Galatians is addressed beautifully in these lines. He reminds these believers that there is nothing that qualifies him over them and vice versa. That, as a Jew, he recognized his equality in humanity with the Gentiles and became brothers with these people forsaking religious law to recognize the grace of the Gospel and embrace God's universal family. He is saying...."Look, I was one of those people under the law and was freed by the Gospel- why would you become what I once was when I have shown you that what we have in Jesus is true freedom?" I could be completely wrong on this, but to tell them- "you did me no wrong" is to point out that as a Jewish man, Paul was not expecting these people to do anything (specifically become circumcised) in order to receive Jesus. So, if they trusted Paul and received him as a Jew without religious expectation- what gives now?
You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.
Galatians 4:13-14
I found this section to be interesting and went to various commentaries to read through the processes of the smart folks (Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary, Barnes Notes, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, Matthew Poole and Gil's Exposition)
A great resource for commentaries, Hebrew and Greek translation, lexicon, concordance and all Bible related support material can be downloaded on the "BibleHub" application
This common thought is that Paul didn't intentionally minister to the Galatians the first time around. It is possible that due to his own physical illness, he wound up there to take care of his health and took the opportunity to share the gospel as a result. With this in mind, I think he's making a point to also remind these guys he wasn't there on assignment to change them. He was there because he needed help and they took him in as an outsider and helped him as he shared the gospel in the process. These new influencers were clearly trying to change the beliefs and behavior of the Galatians whereas Paul was just sharing. Furthermore, their apparent reception of his message was not in fear, but recognition of Jesus.
How often have we attempted to change the people around us that are pre-believers? How often have we attempted to get people to church every Sunday and join the Bible study and get them baptized and confirmed and communed, etc? Listen, alllll these things are good, but it isn't our job to change people or get them into a routine. It's our call to share with them what Jesus has done in our lives. The gospel invites and ignites people's hearts to RECOGNIZE Jesus in us. We are NOT the savior, He is. Do we trust Him with all those people? What is our role, exactly?
What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?
Galatians 4:15-16
This is a lengthy blog, I know, but how important?! How many of us have either assisted in attempting to put people underneath the law and create a performance based culture that relies on religious expectation in order to receive grace? It's not a comfortable question, but it HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. What then has become of YOUR blessedness? Man, I hear that one straight to my heart in beautiful conviction. What is the source of your blessing? Paul's words echo AGAIN as a reminder that the source of all is Jesus.
Do you remember when you first met him and realized this? It isn't shocking that the people felt compelled to do anything for Paul as he introduced them to the good news. Their souls recognized the message of Jesus and they welcomed this "living water" as though Paul was an angel of the Lord, himself.
Elsewhere in the scripture we are told to "guard the deposit within us". This letter plays out in real-time the intentions of the enemy to attempt to steal anything we have received in truth. He looks to enslave where Jesus sets free. By the way, the exact place of freedom the Galatian church had experienced in the gospel- was being attacked IN THE CHURCH. I find that to be quite interesting. The attempt to "make good Jews" was where the attack on freedom was coming. Tradition, sacrament, all the things ARE NOT THE SOURCE. Discipling doesn't look like a checklist of good church life and attendance and service- discipling looks like JESUS.
They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you,
Galatians 4:17-18
But Lyndsie, we are all trying to do the right thing! How are these things wrong?
It is ALWAYS heart posture. Always motivation. The source of what we do in our zeal should be consistent and from the heart of God. In alignment with what Jesus has made available and from identity rather than for it. Any attempt of anyone (secular or sacred) to assimilate and force people to be one way in order to receive anything is an indicator of their need for influence and power and control.
Jesus IS the leader. He is the source. We do everything to glorify Him and we do things not in order to prove our love for Him, but organically because once you know Him it is the only natural thing to do. What do I mean? I keep his laws and statutes not because I have to, but because I want to. That's the difference between laws on stone and laws written directly on our hearts. The law written into human hearts is the illustration that the motivation is a natural one coming from the very base of our soul.
Church, we don't need to make much of our congregations or even our own well-intentioned visions. We need to be in alignment with Christ and what He's doing and remain consistent in that. Not controlling people, losing patience with their process, expecting this, that and the other, but truly trusting the GOSPEL. The GOOD NEW OF JESUS. It sounds like releasing a ton of control, huh? Yep. I have found the more I get to know God the less I hold on to how I think things need to work for Him to work- and, man. May we be a people that never forget the source of our blessedness.
Now this was jam-packed!!!! Thank-you Jesus!
What are your thoughts and how has Galatians impacted you? Is God highlighting anything in particular that differs or aligns with some of the things I've been processing?
Lyns
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope in which we profess, for He who promised IS faithful. Hebrews 10:23
Comentarios