“¹¹ Not that I (the Apostle Paul) speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

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.

¹³ I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13

Taken out of context, Philippians 4:13 would seem that the Apostle Paul offered a blank check to do all things through Christ Who strengthens us…whether it be God’s Will or not.  As long as we memorize this verse and keep repeating it during difficult circumstances, many believe this activity will build faith and motivate God to move on our behalf.  Even though this is the Word of God, taken out of context and used in this way is error which the Lord cannot bless.  Many have had their faith destroyed due to errors such as this.  Remember a little leaven, leavens the whole lump.  The devil won’t come with a red cape but as an angel of light and his ministers transformed into ministers of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

“⁸ For by Grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Placing Scripture, or anything else for that matter (prayer, Bible reading, fasting, etc.), in a position of law makes the Cross of Christ of no effect.  Please don’t misunderstand, every Believer should be reading the Bible and praying but doing these activities in order to “gain” righteousness, victory or whatever the Believer is seeking to do, turns one’s consecration into ambition and places them squarely under law.

The fact of the matter is, when the Holy Spirit gave this Scripture through the Apostle Paul, He meant exactly what He said…as a Child of God we can do all things through Christ Who strengthens us when whatever “it” may be that we are trying to do is the Will of God.  In context this Scripture says that no matter the Apostle Paul’s state, he has learned to be content.  Whether he was abased or whether he was abound, he had learned to be content because he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him.

Repeatedly repeating this Scripture does not build our faith.  Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith builds our faith.  Whether we are abased or whether we abound, we are content because we KNOW in Whom we have believed and we are persuaded that He is able to keep that which we have committed unto Him (2 Timothy 1:12).  Learn of Him, Who He is and what He has done for whosoever will believe.  His Yoke is easy and His burden light.  No man comes to the Father except by Him.  He is Jesus Christ.  He is the Source and His Cross the means by which whosoever believes upon Him receives from our Heavenly Father.  He is the Lamb of God, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, Who is and was and is to come.

Jesus Christ and Him crucified…be determined to know nothing else among you.

-Donna Clark Warren