I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

- Philippians 4:13

If there ever was the perfect medicine for the Christian life, Philippians 4:13 is it— what the Apostle Paul gives us is the antidote to despair and the antidote to pride.

We must remember Satan is not God. Like us, Satan has limits. He is not omnipresent, and he is not omniscient. His methods have not changed.

The father of lies has been telling the same lies since the dawn of time: you are "so good and do not need God," or, you are "so sorry and weak that God has no use for you."

As believers, each day, we walk along the precipice of these two lies, walking along the precipice of pride and despair. Himself knowing these dangers all too well, Paul gives us words of hope. Paul gives us words of humility.

"I can do all things through Christ..." All things. Not "some things." Not "small things." But "all things." The greek here speaks of "perseverance." Paul is saying that he will persevere and can suffer anything that comes his way because of the preserving power of Christ in him.

Whatever challenge he meets. Whatever valley he must cross. Whatever mountain he must climb, Paul will persevere because Christ has preserved him in His mercy and love.

Christian, what hope! In Christ we can do all things because it is Christ who is in us. The world will try and harm us. The world will try and slow us down. The world will tell us that we are not worthy, that we are not good, the world will tell us that what we have and who we are is not enough. But we take heart; He who is in us has overcome the world (John 16:33)!

"...who strengthens me." Here we find humility. Whose strength is it? It is Christ's strength, not ours. When we persevere, we are being preserved not by our own strength but by His. And praise be to God for this!

Scripture teaches us that His "grace is sufficient for us, and His power is made perfect in our weakness" (1 Cor. 12:9).

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." The front of this verse gives us hope. The back of this verse gives us humility.

In this verse we find the antidote to despair and the antidote to pride. It is the perfect medicine for the Christian life.

Faithfully,
Pastor Chris

Paper Sunday is blessed to collaborate with Chris Harper on today's devotional!

Chris Harper is a speaker, writer, and disciple-maker. Chris is President of 252Edu, a consulting firm based in Dallas, Texas. Chris serves schools, churches, and non-profits by helping them "grow in wisdom, favor and stature with God and man.”

When not taking ground for King Jesus, you can find Chris on the basketball court playing a pick-up game. Chris is a sneakerhead, an avid reader, and loves a good cheeseburger. You can follow him @252consulting on Instagram.