PAUL CAN, CAN YOU?

We all enjoy being around positive people, don't we? We prefer those who think, talk and act in a positive way. We like being around those kind of people. They makes us feel good. However, it takes more than "the power of postive thinking" or positive talk to be effective in living the Christian Life on an every day basis. It takes POSITIVE FAITH IN THE POWER AND STRENGTH THAT COMES ONLY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST!

The Apostle Paul demonstrated what I want to talk about here. Let's read the important words he penned as the Holy Spirit inspired and guided him: "I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13) - (Emphasis Mine). Stop and think about that statement! Do you honestly believe that. . . that YOU can do ALL THINGS through the strength CHRIST gives you? The main purpose of this blog is to definitely encourage us:

1) to see the reality of this kind of faith and spiritual strength, the truth of that which the Apostle spoke of!

2) to affirm that faith and strength for ourselves, and

3) to incorporate both that faith and strength into our own life, to be fleshed out in action every day!

Initially, before we examine "Positive Faith for the doing", we must remember that Saving Faith is the foundation. Saving Faith is our acceptance of the atoning grace of God, whereby we are truly transformed in heart and mind, changed inwardly and saved from our sins, given a right relationship with God and the gift of eternal life. It is the work of the Holy Spirit of God as we repent of our sin and confess our trust in Jesus. It is of Divine origin and is imparted by Him into our inner being, mind, spirit and conduct! It is NOT something we achieve, earn, inherit or manufacture. It is NOT anything we are born with or grow into. It is imparted ONLY to those who have repented of their sins, confessed Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and are true followers of Him! This faith results in a new life in Christ; a spiritual transformation called being "born again", "born anew" or "born from above". As Paul told the Corinthians, it is spiritually a "new creation." "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold the new has come" (II Corinthians 5:8). This is a life united with Jesus, freed from the bondage of sin, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Again, this transformed life is a complete shift from self-centeredness to a life focused on God's love, grace, mercy and eternal perspective.

Having laid that foundation, the positive statement we read, that Paul was declaring, is our DAILY FAITH THAT CHRIST WILL GIVE US THE INNER STRENGTH for THE DOING. It is our constant confidence in God and in His Word. It involves our daily affirmation of God's work for us; that He did in our behalf. We affirm that our dependency is upon God alone and His abilities! By faith, we recognize WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST, and WHAT we can accomplish through Christ and His power!

So, let's look closer at Paul's definitive and personal testimony recorded in Philippians 4:13.

First, we find "I CAN DO" . . . His positive words of AFFIRMATION! Emphasizing each of these three words has significant impact. Say all three separately: "I", "CAN", "DO"! This affirmation is so far beyond "positive thinking". It is so much more than stirring up courage, relying on personal abilities or our own strength. It is much more than self-sufficiency, and self aggrandizement. What is it, then? It is POSITIVE FAITH and UTTER CONFIDENCE IN GOD, HIS WORD, HIS WILL, HIS PLAN AND PURPOSE, AFFIRMING HIS ABILITIES, and DAILY PLACING OUR TRUST IN HIM! This is the power behind those words, "I Can Do"!

Through Christ and the strength He provides, the word "can't" is NOT in my vocabulary. Through Jesus, I can make good and better decisions and accomplishments. Through Christ and His empowerment, I can effectively plan, organize, work, get the job done, make a real difference in my attitudes, in how I view my circumstances, in my family, in my church, in my community, at my job, and in my life! Through the strength He gives me, I CAN DO what God wants me to do! God being my helper, I can be who God wants me to be! As He enables me, I can obediently act in the way that glorifies Jesus!

Perhaps you are tempted to say, Paul had it better or easier than I do. Oh, really? He was often beaten with rods, imprisoned, ship-wrecked, derserted by friends, threatened by foes, starved, stranded and destitute. (See II Corinthians 11:23-30 for the list of his sufferings.) And yet, he said, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am" (Philippians 4:11).

Second, Paul said . . "ALL THINGS". With those words, he identifies THE SCOPE of what he could! He did not say, "some things", "the majority of things", "the main things", or "the lesser things." NO! He said, "I can do ALL THINGS". That literally means "everything" God calls you to, OR allows into your path! His statement means to "be ready for anything and equal to everything"! Those are the words in the Amplified New Testament Version. Nothing is too small, nothing is too insignificant, nothing too big, nothing too hard! Paul would say to us, "Dream big, think largely, imagine broadly, desire most profoundly"! But in it all, keep your eyes, heart and mind focused intently on your Source!

Third, he states "THROUGH CHRIST"! The Apostle was very clear! Our Source is "THROUGH CHRIST"! "I can do all things through Christ!" We know it is all "IN HIM", "BY HIM", "WITH HIM", and "BECAUSE OF HIM"! When Jesus taught that "He is the Vine and we are His branches" in John 15:1-8, He said, "Without Me, you can do nothing." Our choice boils down to "all things" or "nothing" and the difference is "With Him" or "Without Him"! Which do you choose?

We need definite reminders! Our personal relationship with Jesus is of primary significance in Scripture! Our greatest source for all of life is Jesus Christ, for He lives within the life of every true follower of His! And you know what? This deals a death blow to the secular and religious humanism evidenced in our culture! Secular and religious humanism both elevate humanity and our own human abilities; we don't need God, so He is denied!

Lastly, Paul says "WHO STRENGTHENS ME"! What a BLESSED ASSURANCE this is! Here he affirms "I can do - all things - through Christ - who strengthens me!" The word "strengthens" is in the present tense of the verb and signifies continuous action. So, the actual wording is, "I can keep doing all things through Christ who continually strengthens me!" What an assurance! Christ strengthens us constantly for doing all things given us to do in accordance with His Word, Will and Direction!

So, we have wonderful, deliberate and positive assurances from this passage! Here they are!

1) We are never alone in living or in doing anything that truly matters!

2) There is the care and love of Jesus for us, all the time!

3) We have His divine strengthening every day.

4) We have His divine power constantly.

5) We have His promises and presence to assure us that we can trust Him in every circumstance.

You know, Philippians 4:13 has been quoted on Instagram over 56,000 times. Most entries have to do with some sort of physical exercise or fitness program. Others mention it in regards to winning beauty pagents or graduating from college. So, it is frequently used in the wrong way or misunderstood as a promise for personal success. IT IS NOT! Rather, it is a declaration of contentment, reliance, purpose and divine strength to endure all circumstances every day through Jesus' provisions! So, let's press on to realize victory in this STRENGTH OF JESUS!