Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
I have a feeling that you have heard this voice at least once in your life. This has to be one of the most popular verses out of the Bible. And it is also one of the verses that the kids had the privilege to learn this summer. Many times we hear this verse presented as a challenge for us to accomplish whatever it is our hear desires. We are told that God can do anything through us. I do not want to discredit that claim, because God is all powerful and can do anything and everything. But I think that many times this verse becomes self-centered.
Instead of realizing that it is God's work through our life, I feel like we begin to think "I can do anything." God works through us, it is not us working on our own accord. So when we read this verse, we must remember not to focus so much on our self. Instead, we must focus on God.
So why do we misinterpret this verse so frequently? I think that much of falls on the fact that we only read the first part of the verse. We quote the second half, but many times we do not realize what it is saying. That second half gives the glory all to God. He is the one giving us the strength, not ourselves. He is the one that is working through us, not us working through our own life.
Take this verse as encouragement. God does choose to work through us, and He can do all things through us. But we must remember that it is God working. That is the key that we skim over all too frequently. But remember that when you are following God and living in Him, He will be able to do amazing things through your life. He looks for the faithful, and it is those people that God chooses to use. So try to see this verse as a whole. Look to God. Do not focus on yourself. Give Him the glory.
Matt
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