Doing All Things Through Christ

The Lord gave me a lot to meditate on after yesterday’s devotional. I ended it by writing “I must never forget to live through my Savior.” How is that possible? Well, let’s look closer at what is my daughter Tiffany and many others’ life verse:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

The Apostle Paul is speaking of living through Christ’s power. What exactly entails living through this power? More than you may realize.

First, understand the we have Christ’s power in our lives because of God’s promise to David:

    “Then You spoke in a vision to Your holy one, and said: ‘I have given help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people.’” (Psalm 89:19)

David performed mighty feats for the Lord, however he knew he did so because God was at his side early on in his life:

    “But David said to Saul, ‘Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.’ Moreover David said, ‘The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.’” (1 Samuel 17:34-37)

This is one of the most mistaught passages in the Bible. Contrary to many a popular sermon, Goliath was not David’s giant. Goliath was Israel’s and it’s King Saul’s giant. Goliath was the Israeli Army’s giant. David was merely delivering food to and checking up on his brothers. When David heard Goliath blaspheming Israel and God, he was offended for God. David stood in the gap knowing that God would be by his side as David stood for the honor of his Holy God. He did so in the very same power from God that Jesus Christ has made available to us by sending the Holy Spirit.

This power is also a saving power as foretold by the Prophet Isaiah:

    “Who is this who comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah, this One who is glorious in His apparel, traveling in the greatness of His strength?—‘I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.’” (Isaiah 63:1)

You are saved because Jesus is mighty to save. The power Christ lived through while on earth, the power that resurrected Him out of the grave to overcome death, the power that ascended Him into Heaven as His disciples watched in disbelief, is THAT power Paul speaks of in Philippians 4:13!

Yesterday I also wrote of Satan trying to convince me that God’s grace is limited. The truth is Christ power is unlimited and His grace is always sufficient, even for my recurring sins. The trick is I must allow it in my life. Why? Because Jesus’ power is a pardoning power that not only can forgive sins but heal us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

    “‘But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins’—then He said to the paralytic, ‘Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.’” (Matthew 9:6)

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has unlimited power. How is that possible? It has been given unto Him from God the Father:

    “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.’” (Matthew 28:18)

Do you recall why Jesus said this? He was giving His Disciples what is known as the Great Commission. You could also name it Mission Impossible. But this commandment comes after Jesus informs them of his limitless and unending power:

    “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

And today we the Church are still making disciples of all the nation. How? Through the infinite power of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Dear Christian, I pray that your walk with Christ is one of doing all things through Him. If it is not, and mine has yet to get there, let us covenant together to do so.

Dear friend, you who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, are you getting tired of working in your own strength? It’s only a matter of time before you reach your breaking point. Stop trying to do all things through your power and begin working towards doing all things through Christ. It starts at receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

And no matter our walk with the Lord, as we journey down this path of faith in Jesus Christ, we will be amazed at all the things over which Jesus has power.

More on that beginning tomorrow…

In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4

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    Copyright © 2012 David Jeffers

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