All Things Through Christ

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

Philippians 4:11-13 

How do we become like Christ?  Paul has been writing about his own contentment in all kinds of circumstances. He has ‘learned in whatever state I am to be content.’ This is an impossible achievement. Given that he was in prison when he wrote these words and his life was hanging in doubt, this is an utterly supernatural remark. The key to his contentment lies in the last verse of the passage, ‘I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.’ On the night of the Last Supper, Christ said to His disciples, ‘without Me you can do nothing.’ Thus, Paul learned to be content in every circumstance of life through Christ Who strengthened him. This becomes important for us to understand when we seek to imitate Christ in learning to be content in whatever state we are. We accomplish nothing spiritual without Christ. It is Christ who enables us to learn to be content in whatever state we are. Without Him we can do nothing. 

Our Gracious God and our Savior, 
we rejoice that You enable us to follow You. 
We praise You that You lead us along, 
step by step, to conform us to Your Image. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning