Phil 4:13 All Things Through Christ
This reflection note focuses on the nature and possibilities of Phil 4:13 from both new and mature believers' perspectives and suggestions for how to approach faith.
NOTESPILGRIM'S DESK
Trace Pirtle
4 min read
Many new believers and seekers randomly open the Bible, close their eyes, and point to a verse. It’s the Christian version of throwing a dart at a map while blindfolded and discovering your next vacation destination. It’s an adventure.
In both cases, we believe that Divine Intervention is at work. I know; I was one of those seekers who turned new believer about 25 years ago.
Philippians 4:13
So it’s not surprising that many new believers will flip open Scripture, just as the Apostle Paul says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, NKJV).
“Awesome!” they exclaim. That’s all they need to press ahead with their plans—all speed and no direction.
But if we read a bit more about his life, we discover that Paul has been beaten, shipwrecked, bitten by poisonous snakes, etc. He tells us he has had nothing, had plenty, and that in all cases he was content.
For Paul, Christ alone is sufficient for him to do all things, to endure all things. But many of us don’t read Philippians 4:13 that way. We read it as a guarantee of success in life without the shipwrecks.
New Believers: “That’s Possible!”
New believers have hope and, like little children, take what God’s Word says literally.
It’s only later that they learn from their elders about metaphors, similes, hyperbole, and all the symbolism and figures of speech Jesus used to make a point.
Let’s consider a couple of other verses that new believers take at “faith” value. The first verse was fodder for many discussions I had with pastors who couldn’t believe my naivete, especially as a university professor.
Matthew 17:20
“So Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your unbelief, for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. (Matthew 17:20, NKJV).
I had been studying quantum physics and its intersection with consciousness. When I heard quantum physics described as the physics of possibilities, of subatomic particles being in different locations simultaneously (superposition), I was hooked.
But I was also hooked on the possibility that physics had discovered what God has told us all along: there are more possibilities than we can imagine. God is omnipotent, omniscient, ever-present.
So I asked different pastors: What if Jesus wasn’t using exaggerated speech about moving mountains to make a point?
What if the mountains, the shipwrecks, in our lives are simply possibilities? They don’t become our reality until we become conscious of them. That is, we focus on them. Sounds crazy.
But what if what we perceive as reality can be changed by faith in the Son of God? After all, we are told, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1, NKJV).
What if we take Jesus at His word when we read Matthew 11:24:
Mark 11:24
“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask for when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:24, NKJV).
How would our lives change with that kind of faith?
How much more could we do to extend His Kingdom if we stopped placing a governor on God through our rational thinking?
Yes, we are called to have a sound mind (see 2 Timmothy 1:7), but isn’t a sound mind one that is aligned with God’s Word, rather than the limited possibilities of rational thinking? I have faith it is so.
But somewhere along the path of sanctification, when new believers undergo an undefined rite of passage (perhaps church membership) and become mature Christians, the possibilities narrow.
Mature Believers: “That’s Hyperbole”
Mature believers can be quick to point out to new believers when Jesus is using hyperbole; that is, exaggerated speech to make a point.
This is especially true when the new believer appears to be using God’s words for their purposes, not God’s purposes.
I get it. Far too many people have tried to reduce God to their personal genie in a bottle who grants unlimited wishes.
James, the half-brother of Jesus, identified the problems of this world stemming from our lusts. He said, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:3, NKJV).
The “Prosperity Gospel” is founded on these lusts and perpetuates the myth that God is available to satisfy your every desire. But we know this is a lie.
God knows our hearts and motivations for every prayer. He is not deceived.
Concluding Thoughts
This reflection focuses on Philippians 4:13 and how it can be misused to meet the needs, wants, and desires (i.e., lusts) of seekers and believers alike.
I’ve also discussed the differences in how new believers and mature believers view God’s Word in terms of literal possibilities versus hyperbole.
While there is a place for critical reading and rational thinking, as suggested by mature believers, the boundless faith displayed by many new believers should not be extinguished.
When we tell new believers that Jesus doesn’t really mean all that He said, that He uses metaphors, similes, and hyperbole to make His point, but not to be taken literally, we extinguish the fire that Jesus wants to kindle in each of our hearts.
If a believer asks for something in prayer that is not aligned with God’s will, it won’t be answered. God knows the intentions of the Heart.
Maybe we all should approach God from a new believer's spirit, not lose the wonder and awe of all the possibilities God has available for us. Jesus said, "Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it" (Mark 10:15, NKJV).
And if believers, new and mature alike, seek to align with God’s will, who knows, perhaps we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
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Read other notes from the Pilgrim's Desk:
Daily Christian Reflections
Walking With Jesus
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