That is such a bold statement. “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.” The problem most of us have with that statement is two fold: Number one we have a hard time believing it, because we just don’t think we have that kind of faith – though we actually do, and number two we are too dependent upon our own strength to think about turning it over to the Lord and walk in faith.
Paul wrote this because he lived it. He was not saying this with just a ‘Positive Attitude’, he was saying this because he knew it to be true. As you know, because he thought he was protecting the Jewish faith, Paul (Saul) was trying to kill or imprison every person who was following the Way.. He was on his way to Damascus to continue his persecution when the power of the Holy Spirit came upon him. It literally knocked him to the ground with a light so strong it blinded him, and Jesus Himself said unto him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4) After that, a personal line of communication was established for Paul with Jesus telling him what was going to happen to him,, and what He was going to do through him, and took him into personal counseling to teach him about grace, the door opening for the gentiles, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the great love of the Father for His children.
After he became Paul, and perhaps the greatest Missionary of all time, he was used to write down for us the majority of the letters that explain grace, and the new Covenant. In addition to that, God protected him through shipwrecks, beatings, hunger, and jail, as he was persecuted by the jews. The Lord put him before kings and queens, and planted Churches through him that have survived the test of centuries.
We probably have not had that kind of encounter with the Lord, but it is not important. What is important is that we have had one. Quiet, loud, with tears, without tears, slowly over the years, or quickly as Paul’s was. The bottom line is the take away. After the experience, is He Lord of our life? Saul, said, “Who are you, Lord?” He knew this was God, he just did not know how He was presenting Himself. After he heard it was Jesus, he never looked back. Regardless of what he went through, he never doubted. Jesus was Lord. He was strengthened for all occasions. So, I take Paul at his word for what he is saying. And since he says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”, and lived it, so can we when we believe. Christ said, “All things are possible for the person who believes.” (Mark 9:23)
Let us take Christ at His word. Let us take Paul at his word. Let us take the WORD as the Words of life, and strength, and grace, and love, and believe that Jesus is Lord of all. He is above all things. He is all power. He is all love. He is all strength, and we can do all things through Him when we believe.
The Word says, “Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as Eagles.” Be strong in the Lord, God’s Beloveds. He is our strength on which to call.
Poppa B.