248. Do All Things
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
God promises superhero powers: I can do all things; Christ gives me strength to do everything. Taken literally, this would be preposterous: for instance, I cannot leap tall buildings at a single bound. Thus what the “all things” must be referring to here is any thing and all things that God wants me to do. If the Lord wants He can and He will give me the strength to do it.That’s the promise.
I, the sinner, cannot keep perfectly the Ten Commandments, but in any given situation or decision I can obey and do what God wants through Christ who strengthens me. I cannot use the excuse, “I am addicted, I have to commit adultery. I can’t overcome the temptation.” But God says, “You can, through Christ.” We know the powerful and subtle temptations that come upon us, but we must also be honest and confess: “It’s not that I can’t; it is that I don’t want to ‘do all things.’”
The context of this promise through Paul is being in a state of abounding or suffering need. He can do either one and remain content. He can “do either thing.” He does the impossible: he is content even if he doesn’t have what he wants, and, he resists pride and greed even if he is abounding in wealth.
By ourselves we can do nothing good; through Christ we can do all things good. Faith does all things; faith does not do it, but the person whom the faith is in does it, and that person can do all things. If faith wants to move a metaphorical mountain it can, if it is God’s will to do. For “with God all things are possible.”The mountain can be moved; the virgin can conceive; the sinner can be forgiven and saved; the impossible prayer can be answered. God has done the impossible and He can do it again, if God wills it.
We do not have to ask what God’s will is. We only need to know what God says in the Word. He has already revealed all of His will for us in Law and Gospel. We do have to pray, “If it be Thy will.” If God does not will it, it won’t be done. If God wills, even the impossible will be done. In this context, “I can do all things….”