Sorted!

Sorted!

Philippians 4:13 AMP

[13] 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.]

There are two perspectives that are in operation at any point in time, and these are the Word perspective and the world perspective. No matter the inclination or belief system you hold on to, you will fall in one of the two perspectives. The perspective of the world teaches self-help and the pursuit of selfish interests, while the perspective of the Word lays emphasis on the enablement and empowerment that come from the person of Christ Himself. The perspective of the world promotes an internal, unhealthy focus on what I can do for and by myself, while the perspective of the Word encourages an upward focus on the One who is able to enliven, encourage and embolden a man to do what he knows he could never achieve by his own power. 

That is the message of the verse above: a focus on the empowerment that is in Jesus. Paul had experienced both perspectives too. He had been zealous about the Jewish culture and religion, and records are available on his efforts and labour in that regard. However, when the focus shifted to that of the Word, and he had an encounter with Jesus, the same strength he had used to promote the Jewish culture was now directed to the promotion and expansion of the Jesus culture. This is where the story top makes sense: if not for the inner focus that had changed, you would not know the difference in the application of zeal. You will see Paul labouring, and if you are not careful, you would think he was burning with zeal for the things of God. 

This is where the inner motivation must be sorted out. I am reliant on His sufficiency, and I take my sufficiency and adequacy from His own empowerment. I apply myself to His own purpose, not mine. I am able to face whatever comes my way, because, like the expert pharmacist that God is, whatever He allows to come my way has been carefully calibrated to ensure that I end well. I am ready for anything and equal to anything because His power is revealed in me. It is foolishness to rely on that which is of the world to sort out the demands of that which is of the Word. These are two parallel lines that will never meet, no matter how hard or far you try to draw them together. God wants to show Himself strong in my life, if I will let Him. After all, it is His work, His platform and His audience. All I can do is to allow Him flow in and through me. God's time of favour is here.