Keep it in Context

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

Before you stop reading because you think you know what I am going to say, I urge you to read on.

I wish we could just admit, to ourselves and to the world, that we are often terrible students of God's word. You see, good Bible students study God's word to insure he or she is "accurately handling the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). A good student takes great care to know and understand a verse or passage in its immediate context (the verses which surround it), as well as the context of the book in which it is written. For the Bible, this means understanding the verse or passage in light of the immediate book (for example, Philippians) and interpreting it within the context of the entire book (the Bible).

Yet there are verses thrown around in Christian circles today that have been completely removed from their context. In the New Testament, I believe this one ranks at the top of the list. In the Old Testament, I believe Jeremiah 29:11 would stand alone. I may write the next entry about that verse.

Whether it be adults or students, I frequently hear individuals quote this verse. Sometimes accurately applying it and claiming its promise for a given circumstance, and other times completely missing the mark on what Paul was really saying.

Paul was suffering. He was a prisoner in Rome suffering for his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. To the disappointment of many, he was not preparing to pole vault at 19 feet 8 inches. Nor was he seeking to break 7 cinder blocks with his bare hand. And within the context of what he writes to the Philippians, he sets it up by first stating that he has learned in whatever circumstances of life to be content.

He had been in want. He had lived with an abundance. But in all things he had learned contentment. And he had learned that regardless the circumstances of life, hard or easy, plenty or want, he could do all things through Christ who gave him the strength to persevere.

Too often this verse becomes a mantra for individuals to stamp God's approval upon their actions which He may or may not truly give approval. Or it could be used, or should I say misused, to claim God's blessing and strength for an act or activity that Jesus Christ may or may not really have great concern.

I know God knows everything. He knows who will win the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. But does it really rank up there as a priority for God? If the Memphis Tigers ripped the Tarheels to shreds, will God go into depression? Is this a major concern for the Trinity? I argue a clear NO! But you possibly could hear believers using Philippians 4:13 to cheer on their favorite team.

Now on the other hand, what about missions? What about a Christian who knows the heart of God is to see the nations worship Him? That Christian grew up in Rural Retreat, VA and senses a call to go to the Hmong Tribe in China. Worlds will collide...languages stand at opposite ends of the spectrum...customs could be like night and day. And yet he or she claims that whether easy or hard, prosperous or poor, they can do it not by their own strength, but through Christ who gives them strength.

We cannot endure difficulty, hardship, destitution or the roadblocks of life on our own. It is because we are in Christ (John 15) and His strength through us that we are able.

If I could name it and claim it, that I could do all things through Christ who gives me strength, I would have healed Micah, prayed him to health or removed the sicknesses, sorrows or other sufferings. Yet God in His divine sovereignty has chosen this for us. It is for our good and His glory. And I can endure this only because of Jesus Christ.

Paul's words were not a blank check we could carry around to use to gain anything and everything we desired for ourselves. Unfortunately we'll quote this verse when we want to buy a new $75,000 car though our budget looks tighter than a tick on a hound dog, and yet miss Paul's words just prior about contentment.

Maybe you don't see the point of what I'm saying. Maybe you think I'm wrong. Regardless, may we be good students of God's word in order that we never take a passage or verse, rip it from its context and misapply it to what God never intended.

After all, how many people do you know who claim the less ideal promises? "All who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). No there's a promise we don't hear too many claiming for themselves.