Philippians 4:13

DISCOURSE: 2164
EXTENT AND SOURCE OF THE CHRISTIAN’S POWER

Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

THERE are in the sacred writings many various, and apparently opposite, representations of the Christian’s state: he is mournful, yet happy; sinful, yet holy; weak, yet possessed of a derived omnipotence. These paradoxes are incomprehensible to the world at large: but the solution of them is easy to those who know what man is by nature, and what he is by grace, and what are the effects which flow from the contrary and contending principles of flesh and spirit. Nothing can be more incredible, at first sight, than the assertion in the former part of our text: but, when qualified and explained by the latter part, it is both credible and certain: yea, it presents to our minds a most encouraging and consoling truth.

In elucidating this passage, we shall shew,

I. The extent of a Christian’s power—

Using only such a latitude of expression as is common in the Holy Scriptures, we may say concerning every true Christian, that he can,

1. Endure all trials—

[In following his Divine Master, he may be called to suffer reproaches, privations, torments, and death itself. But “none of these can move him.” When his heart is right with God, he can “rejoice that he is counted worthy to suffer shame for his Redeemer’s sake [Note: Acts 5:41.]:” he can “suffer the loss of all things, and yet count them but dung [Note: Philippians 3:8.];” under extreme torture, he can refuse to accept deliverance, in the prospect of “a better resurrection [Note: Hebrews 11:35.]:” he can say, “I am ready to die for the Lord’s sake [Note: Acts 21:13.];” and when presented at the stake as a sacrifice to be slain, he can look upon his sufferings as a matter of self-congratulation and exceeding joy [Note: Philippians 2:17; 1 Peter 4:12.]

2. Mortify all lusts—

[Great are his inward corruptions; and many are the temptations to call them forth: but he is enabled to mortify and subdue them [Note: Galatians 5:24.]. “The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life,” are very fascinating: but “the grace of God, which has brought salvation to his soul, has taught him to deny them all, and to live righteously, soberly, and godly in this present world [Note: 1 John 2:15. with Titus 2:12.].” “By the great and precious promises of the Gospel, he is made a partaker of the Divine nature [Note: 2 Peter 1:4.],” and is stirred up to “cleanse himself from all filthiness, both of flesh and spirit, and to perfect holiness in the fear of God [Note: 2 Corinthians 7:1.].”]

3. Fulfil all duties—

[Every different situation brings with it some correspondent duties: prosperity demands humility and vigilance; adversity calls for patience and contentment. Now the Christian is “like a tree that is planted by the rivers of water, and bringeth forth its fruits in its season [Note: Psalms 1:3.].” It is to this change of circumstances that the Apostle more immediately refers in the text: “I have learned,” says he, “in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere, and in all things, I am instructed, both to be full, and to be hungry; both to abound, and to suffer need. I can do all things [Note: ver. 11–13.].” The Christian knows that all his duties are summed up in love to God, and love to man: he is assured, that no changes in his condition can for one moment relax his obligation to approve himself to God in the execution of these duties: and he endeavours to avail himself of every wind that blows, to get forward in his Christian course.

But in reference to all the foregoing points, we must acknowledge, that all Christians are not equally advanced; nor does any Christian so walk as not to shew, at some time or other, that “he has not yet attained, nor is altogether perfect [Note: Philippians 3:12.].” We must be understood therefore as having declared, rather what the Christian “can do,” than what he actually does in all instances. “In many things he still offends [Note: James 3:2.];” but he aspires after the full attainment of this proper character: in the performance of his duties, he aims at universality in the matter, uniformity in the manner, and perfection in the measure of them.]

The Christian’s power being so extraordinary, we may well inquire after,

II.

The source from whence he derives it—

The Christian in himself is altogether destitute of strength—

[If we consult the Scripture representations of him, we find that he is “without strength [Note: Romans 5:6.],” and even “dead in trespasses and sins [Note: Ephesians 2:1.].” Nor, after he is regenerate, has he any more power that he can call his own; for “in him, that is, in his flesh, dwelleth no good thing [Note: Romans 7:15; Romans 7:18.].”

If our Lord’s assertion may be credited, “without him we can do nothing;” we are like branches severed from the vine [Note: John 15:5.].

If the experience of the most eminent Apostle will serve as a criterion, he confessed, that he “had not of himself a sufficiency even to think a good thought; his sufficiency was entirely of God [Note: 2 Corinthians 3:5.].”]

His power even to do the smallest good is derived from Christ—
[“It has pleased the Father, that in Christ should all fulness dwell [Note: Colossians 1:19.],” and that “out of his fulness all his people should receive [Note: John 1:16.].” It is he who “strengthens us with all might by his Spirit in the inner man [Note: Ephesians 3:16.]:” it is he who “gives us both to will and to do [Note: Philippians 2:13.Hebrews 13:21.].” If we are “strong in any degree, it is in the Lord, and in the power of his might [Note: Ephesians 6:10.].” Whatever we do, we must give him the glory of it, saying, “I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me [Note: Galatians 2:20.]:” “I have laboured; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me:” “by the grace of God I am what I am [Note: 1 Corinthians 15:10.].”

Nor is it by strength once communicated, that we are strong; but from continual communications of grace from the same overflowing fountain. It is not through Christ who hath strengthened, but who doth strengthen us, that we can do all things [Note: ἐνδυναμοῦντι.]. We need fresh life from him, in order to the production of good fruit; exactly as we need fresh light from the sun, in order to a prosecution of the common offices of life. One moment’s intermission of either, would instantly produce a suspension of all effective industry.]

From that source he receives all that he can stand in need of—
[Christ is not so prodigal of his favours, as to confer them in needless profusion: he rather apportions our strength to the occasions that arise to call it forth [Note: Deuteronomy 33:25.]. He bids us to renew our applications to him; and, in answer to them, imparts “grace sufficient for us [Note: 2 Corinthians 12:9.].” There are no limits to his communications: however “wide we open our mouth, he will fill it [Note: Psalms 81:10.].” He is “able to make all grace abound towards us, that we, having always all-sufficiency in all things, may abound unto every good work [Note: 2 Corinthians 9:8.]:” he is ready to “do for us exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think [Note: Ephesians 3:20.].” “If only we believe, all things shall be possible unto us [Note: Mark 9:23.]:” we shall be “able to quench all the fiery darts of the devil [Note: Ephesians 6:16.],” and “be more than conquerors over all the enemies of our souls [Note: Romans 8:37.].”]

The uses to which we may apply this subject, are,
1.

The conviction of the ignorant—

[Many, when urged to devote themselves to God, reply, that we require more of them than they can do; and that it is impossible for them to live according to the Scriptures. But what ground can there be for such an objection? Is not Christ ever ready to assist us? Is not Omnipotence pledged for our support? Away with your excuses then, which have their foundation in ignorance, and their strength in sloth. Call upon your Saviour; and he will enable you to “stretch forth your withered hand:” at his command, the dead shall arise out of their graves; and the bond-slaves of sin and Satan shall be “brought into the liberty of the children of God.”]

2. The encouragement of the weak—

[A life of godliness cannot be maintained without constant watchfulness and strenuous exertion. And there are times when “even the youths faint and are weary, and the young men utterly fall,” But “if we wait upon our God we shall certainly renew our strength, and mount up with wings as eagles [Note: Isaiah 40:30.].” If we look “to Him on whom our help is laid [Note: Psalms 89:19.],” the experience of David shall be ours: “In the day when I cried, thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul [Note: Psalms 138:3.].” Let not any difficulties then discourage us. “Let the weak say, I am strong [Note: Joel 3:10.];” and the stripling go forth with confidence against Goliath. Let us “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus [Note: 2 Timothy 2:1.],” and “his strength shall assuredly be perfected in our weakness [Note: 2 Corinthians 12:9.].”]