I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.] Philippians 4:13 AMP
The Inspiration:
We read the words of Paul here, and we can't but cast our minds back to his life before he met Christ. He had zeal for the law, and would do anything to protect, preserve and promote the values of Jewish customs and traditions. He knew his stuff, and he did not mind killing or being killed in the defence of his position. Could it be this zeal was what God needed to harness for Himself, for His use and glory? For all of us today, one of the lesson of Paul's life is that there is no end to how far, deep or wide God can take us to, if we surrender to Him and allow Him do with us whatever He pleases. For some like Paul, the bible records that God came in search of him. For others, it may not be so obvious, but let it be known today that God looks for all of His creation. I can never wander so far away from the One who formed and planted me, that His arms can no longer save me. A man will have to reject God to the end if he is to be eternally lost.
The Contention:
Paul's experiences brought him to this point. He had seen quite a lot of things following His surrender to God. He had seen the effect of the power of God unto salvation for men; he had experienced the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of men, women and children, and had also seen the punishment that could be meted out to those who resisted or tried to prevent God from working in the lives of other people. He had also experienced the pain of loss too, as in the same book of Philippians, he had listed all the 'achievements' as loss, because he had gained Christ. This had to be a product of calm assurance, confidence and faith in the value of what Paul had received. You cannot boast about something you do not know, understand or have personally encountered. For Paul, he had come to a point where he knew who was really at work in and through him, and he had no problem ascribing all the glory to the One who is really at work.
The Conclusion:
It has to be personal for me too. That which I seek to exert energy on must be that which God has sent me on. It cannot be my own misguided labour, or a desire to be known, recognized or applauded. Paul knew he could do all things, which God had called him to do, because God would definitely supply all that is required for the work that He has ordained to be done. How would I use God's resources to pursue selfish interests and personal agendas? Why would I seek glory for myself, using resources that are not mine? Why would I take glory for something whose origin or end I do not know or can determine? Sufficiency must be of the One who is sufficient all by Himself. I take of that which He supplies and impact the world on His behalf. No matter what comes my way, I simply rely on the grace and provision that is available in the One I work for. Does God indeed know and recognize that I work for Him? Can He trust me to depend on Him for everything? God's time of favour is here.
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