I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me but had no opportunity to show it. Not that I am referring to being in need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress. You Philippians indeed know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. (Philippians 4:10-15, NRSVue)
I have a plaque on my desk that has Philippians 4:13 on it. The plaque says:
I CAN DO ALL THINGS
For I can do all things through Christ,
who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
I thought about how that verse is used out of context when I put the plaque on my desk. It does not mean that God will give me the abilities to do whatever I think I should be able to do. This verse is used to say that we can do everything we think we should because the scripture says God will give us the ability. Nope, not even close, and not what Paul meant.
Paul said he knew what it was like to be in need, and what it was like to have an abundance. Through any and all circumstances, he knew he would survive because God would always be with him and guide him, not give him superhuman abilities to be able to do whatever was needed.
We need to not twist verses for our own desires, but listen to what the scripture actually says and live in that faith.
aSacredRebel 