Conclusion

We conclude this time together as we have stood and seen from our fixed spot on Philippians 4: 13. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

We have been shown that what Paul was speaking about, when he wrote those words to the Church at Philippi, was a time when he had just received a generous gift from that Philippian brethren. He was ever grateful and thankful for their loving care and kindness in helping to care for his physical needs and in providing generously for him in his time of distress, when he knew great poverty and need. This question was also asked. What was Paul saying to the Church at Philippi, when he told them that he could do all things through the strengthening power of Jesus Christ?

The questions which now lie before us, are those which have been brought forward from yesterday. What is Paul saying to us? What message is he conveying to all who have access to these words of his?

We now go to the previous verses, to ascertain relevant, wise and astute responses, for each of us in our individual trials.

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: 11b – 13.

Yes, Paul has been in dire need and has admitted it, but he wants the believers to know that his need, his human position, regardless of what it may be, does not determine, dictate or direct his service for Jesus Christ, his Master and Lord. Here is his secret of being able to do all things through Christ who strengthens him. He has learned in whatever state he is, to be content. He knows what he has to do in abasing and abounding circumstances. Whether he is abased in hunger, suffering or great need, he has learned how to be content. If he is in a time when he is abounding in plenty and fullness, he has learned how to be content.

Sometimes we hear people, be they family member, friends, just people whom we know, or even ourselves, talking and saying things like this. “I can’t do this!” When they have met upon some financially hard times and have to really live some stringently down-sized lives, they become all depressed and down-spirited, repeating to themselves and all else that they just can’t manage and are not able to do this. “I can’t do this!” When health issues persist, with thorn-in-the-flesh intensity and severity, they become all weak and hard-pressed, mourning and groaning as they surrender to it all, saying that they simply cannot cope and are unable to hold out any longer. These are but two scenarios of the many and varied you know about and experience even, in this present time. 

However, this is not so with Paul as he speaks and shows, in the midst of all situations, wanted or unwanted that he can do this, because of Jesus who strengthens him.

Stand and See – This is what Paul is saying to us and showing us. As a servant of Jesus Christ, I have experienced times of great afflictions and distresses. But I have learned to be content. Do you hear this mega-servant of Jesus? Has he not just admitted to us that he did not always know what it was to know the spirit of being content, in whatsoever state he was? Has he not just also admitted and confessed that he had to learn this attitude, for it does not come naturally? Learning does not always come overnight.

Stand and See – This is the living, tried and proven message that Paul brings to us.  As servants of Jesus Christ we must go through trials, the distresses and stresses of living in this world, in frail, human flesh. Our trying situations are not uncommon to humans. This however is what is uncommon and what we receive from our Jesus. We must learn to be content in soul and spirit, so that we are not over-taken, over-run or over-ruled by our situations, whatever they may be.

May our ever caring, pitying and comforting Heavenly Father, grant us grace through faith, to learn in whatever state we are, to be content. May we know how to be abased and how to abound. May we truly and honestly learn the spirit of being content in Jesus, whether we are full or empty; well-fed or hungry; abound in plenty or little; or we have all things or nothing. We too, like Paul, can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Amen!