FLIPPING PHILIPPIANS

FLIPPING PHILIPPIANS 4:13

Thursday, January 05, 2017

2Timothy [GW] 4:1-7 [as his execution date nears, Paul wrote to Timothy] I solemnly call on you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge those who are living and those who are dead. I do this because Christ Jesus will come to rule the world. Be ready to spread the word whether or not the time is right. Point out errors, warn people, and encourage them. Be very patient when you teach. A time will come when people will not listen to accurate teachings. Instead, they will follow their own desires and surround themselves with teachers who tell them what they want to hear. People will refuse to listen to the truth and turn to myths. But you must keep a clear head in everything. Endure suffering. Do the work of a missionary. Devote yourself completely to your work. My life is coming to an end, and it is now time for me to be poured out as a sacrifice to God. I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith

Philippians chapters 1 thru 4 [Please read in entirety.]

  Too often Philippians 4:13 is claimed singularly just as some misappropriate Psalm 23:1; the saying thereof not necessarily making us superbly capable or composing the Lord as personal Shepherd when not actually qualified in or by actions.

  In my novice period as a follower of Christ I named and claimed “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” After course in Principles of Biblical Hermeneutics at Maryland Bible Institute resulting in more studious examination of Scripture I discovered that I shouldn’t be so flippant.  The verse requires personal qualification.

  Using NLT Bible version I review some of what I learned by more carefully reading Paul’s words leading up to his declaration:

Paul sets the framework for 4:13 in stating his desire: “I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God…. Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. … standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies.” (1:9-11, 27-28a)

In 2:16 Paul states “Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.”

Paul then explains his discovery of and decision for what really matters in this life goes far beyond any heritage or religious practices: “We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, … I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.  I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (3:3b,5-14)

Paul next gives details of personally realized results of living out his decision: “… I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.” (4:11b-12)

Paul in reflection of his service record then makes his qualified summary declaration: “…I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (4:13)

 

  What may we say . . . claim 4:13 without personally living qualification?

EBB4