Frustrated by this bible verse

[Lovesonsofthundet]

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

[HTacianas]

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

If you back up a few verses you'll see Paul relating the trials he had recently been through. That he could "do all things" meant that he could continue on with his evangelism through those trials by keeping his faith in Christ.

 

[Mark Quayle]

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Can you explain why, or in what way, you are frustrated by it? What is it about it, that frustrates you?

 

[Daniel9v9]

We shouldn't be frustrated with the verse, but rather with the common abuse of it. Just read it in context and the meaning becomes clear. Blessings!

 

[tturt]

Sometimes our focus needs to be on God and how He helps us. He's the answer.

 

[coffee4u]

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Be frustrated with people taking it out of context not with the verse itself.
HTacianas put down the real meaning well.

 

[Aussie Pete]

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Why the frustration? Apart from wrestling with a semi-foreign language, King James-ese, that is.

Most frustration is due to us trying to be what God has already made us to be in Christ. We know what we should be, but we look in the wrong place. We imagine that God is going to change us and make us like Christ. In a way, yes, but not the way we may think. God's way is to crucify our old self and replace that old self with Jesus. If we are hoping that God will reform us, we hope in vain. God looks at us like we would look at a totally wrecked car. A write off. So He offers us new life in Christ to replace what we inherited from Adam.

We need to ask Lord Jesus to do the living, especially when times are hard. I knew the power of the Life of Jesus when I was in hospital, seriously ill. I was so weak and in so much pain that I could hardly pray. Yet I had peace the whole time. When I started to get better, I was able to witness to some people and encourage some of the staff. I am by nature negative and trials and tribulation used to bring me down. I have not changed, but I now know to depend on Jesus, not myself.

 

[timf]

I think Paul is referring to the transcendence faith gives one to endure the many things one can face in life. This it is by the power of Christ (as members of his body) that we can endure.

Php 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

 

[aiki]

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Well, it can be confusing, depending upon what you've understood of Scripture more generally.

Here are some facts from Scripture that might help you understand what Paul wrote:

1. Christ dwells in the born-again believer in the Person of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:9-11; John 14:16-17; Titus 3:5; 1 John 4:13; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

2. The Holy Spirit gives to every believer in himself all they need to live in obedience to, and fellowship with, God. (Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 3:16; Romans 8:13; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16, etc.)

3. The Holy Spirit intends to transform the born-again believer so that they more and more clearly reflect the character of Jesus. (Romans 8:29; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:9; 2 Corinthians 3:18)

4. The Holy Spirit will not force the born-again believer to change and become a living reflection of Jesus Christ. He only transforms the believer who is humbly submitted to his will and way. (Romans 6:13-22; Romans 8:14; Romans 12:1; James 4:6-10; 1 Peter 5:6)

5. The Holy Spirit is himself the "power of Christ." He is for the believer the power they need to live as God calls them to live. And so, only as he fills every region of a believer's life, occupying and controlling every "room" in the "house" of the believer's life, is the believer empowered spiritually to do "all things." (Ephesians 5:18; Ephesians 3:16-19; Colossians 1:9-11; Romans 15:13, etc.)

6. "All things" does not mean literally everything that one can imagine can be done. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, cannot help you lie, or commit murder, or compel someone to salvation. The Holy Spirit cannot empower you to create a square circle, or a married bachelor, or to make your own universe. Clearly, "all things" is not meant to be taken literally.

What does the immediate context of Philippians 4:13 indicate to the reader about Paul's actual meaning?

Philippians 4:11-13
11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

In context, Paul is speaking in verse 13 of living content in any sort of circumstance, whether it be a circumstance of plenty and peace, or one of suffering and need. By the power of the Holy Spirit who lived within him, Paul could be content regardless of the nature of his situation. This is mainly what he is saying in Philippians 4:13, not that he could do literally anything by the power of Christ. Surely, if that was so, he would have exercised such power to ensure that he was always fed, clothed, and comfortably sheltered, right? He would have used the power to do anything to avoid the imprisonment and abuse that he endured. With the power to do anything, he would have converted every person he came across. But that isn't Paul's story, is it?

Anyway, hope this helps you understand Paul's words a little better.

 

[Joined2krist]

You can rely on Christ to strengthen you in adversity. God bless

 

[Lovesonsofthundet]

I've been hearing that verse all my life and I've been struggling so much. I am a mentally handicapped 42 who has lost every job i've ever had due to how people have treated me. I've been embrassed, felt guilt and shame over it because I've seen so many people having jobs and I'm like why can't I ever keep a job and why is it that a lot of people who have jobs are lazy not doing the job and here I am wanting one so bad and it's like I get put out to pasture, etc. I also deal with mental issues anxiety disorder, ptsd, ocd, depression and Adhd. I also deal with gerd and acid reflex, diabetes 2 and a lot of fears and stuff about the future.

 

[Mark Quayle]

I've been hearing that verse all my life and I've been struggling so much. I am a mentally handicapped 42 who has lost every job i've ever had due to how people have treated me. I've been embrassed, felt guilt and shame over it because I've seen so many people having jobs and I'm like why can't I ever keep a job and why is it that a lot of people who have jobs are lazy not doing the job and here I am wanting one so bad and it's like I get put out to pasture, etc. I also deal with mental issues anxiety disorder, ptsd, ocd, depression and Adhd. I also deal with gerd and acid reflex, diabetes 2 and a lot of fears and stuff about the future.

There are several verses in Scripture that are like riddles, and some that are like puns. This verse could even be taken to say that all the things I can do, I can do through Christ who strengthens me. Not that I'm any better than you to put myself and my concerns aside, but it is incumbent on all of us to pursue Christ, rather than what we need. If you NEED answers, there are other passages of scripture about that: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." But don't expect it on your timetable.

 

[Lovesonsofthundet]

I need a lot of reassurance, etc that I still have a purpose and a place in this world.

 

[aiki]

I've been hearing that verse all my life and I've been struggling so much. I am a mentally handicapped

What do you mean by "mentally handicapped"? You don't write like someone with a mental handicap.

I've been embrassed, felt guilt and shame over it because I've seen so many people having jobs and I'm like why can't I ever keep a job and why is it that a lot of people who have jobs are lazy not doing the job and here I am wanting one so bad and it's like I get put out to pasture, etc. I also deal with mental issues anxiety disorder, ptsd, ocd, depression and Adhd. I also deal with gerd and acid reflex, diabetes 2 and a lot of fears and stuff about the future.

So, are all of the things you list here as personal problems the reason you lose jobs?

A successful life, by God's definition of the phrase, is a life focused, not on you, but on God, submitted to His will and way everyday, not your own, enjoying Him more than the things of the World, the flesh and the devil. Is this the life you want? It's the only life God's interested in leading you into.

 

[Mark Quayle]

I need a lot of reassurance, etc that I still have a purpose and a place in this world.

This life is not about you. God doesn't make anything for simply no reason. Particularly not creatures made in his image. He most certainly does have a reason for making you, but it is for HIS purposes —not you. This life is about God.

 

[Lovesonsofthundet]

I am learning disabled. What his purposes for me then? Still makes no sense.

 

[aiki]

What makes no sense?

 

[Mark Quayle]

I am learning disabled. What his purposes for me then? Still makes no sense.

Why would you need to know his purposes, to trust that he has purposes, and to know that they are the best?

 

[GenemZ]

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Paul was a highly developed mature believer when he said that.

He did not say, we all can do all things through Christ who will strengthen you no matter how carnal you may be. Or, how immature a believer you may yet be.

While in the process of maturing we must work out our own salvation in fear and trembling. During that process, God will expose to ourselves weaknesses we did not know we have. Though it will not seem to be true, God will be strengthening the positive maturing believer in spite of how weak he may perceive himself to be. The confidence Paul spoke of comes in maturity. To get there requires we find sound doctrine to think with.

grace and peace .........

 

[lastofall]

Wherefore?