The Big Secret: Philippians 4:11-13

           Today's post circulates around a text that has been often misused by the glib Christian world of quick fixes for personal problems instead of a focus that brings glory to God and encourages us to live rightly. The text that I am speaking of is Philippians 4:13, as follows:

13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

           This, of course, can be applied to any and every part of life with moderate success. I do believe that God wants the best for us and will always want to give us what we need for life, whether that be in finances, goals, or relationships as shown in Romans 8:28:

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose

          and Matthew 7:9-11:

 9 “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

          However, I think the application of this verse to every situation has been somewhat harmful because it has taken the teeth away from this verse. Not only so, but we have also instructed Christians with the exact opposite application from this verse than is given in the passage. In order to see this, one needs to look at this verse with the two verses behind it: Philippians 4:11-13. Paul has just talked to them about his thankfulness for their financial support.

 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

          Paul is telling us that we need to learn the secret of being content. That's what verse 13 is all about: we can be content in any and every life situation because we can do all things through Christ. Instead, we get the impression from modern Christianity that this verse is helping us to "escape mediocrity" (Nod if you recognize this phrase and who uses it, lol). Instead, Paul is telling us that we need to (wait for it) ACCEPT MEDIOCRITY when God has called us to it. This is reinforced in 1 Corinthians 7:17-24, which might say a few things that will shock you:

17 Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. 20 Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. 21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.

          We do not accept it in our own power, but accept it because Christ gives us the power to accept it. Now, this verse doesn't always mean mediocrity, as is shown by Paul's statement that Christ helps him to be content in situations where he was well fed and living in plenty. These situations also require us to be thankful for what we do have. Getting things is one of the quickest ways to build up desire for more things, ironically. So, in a sense, being rich and successful makes it tougher to be content than if one were not well to do.
          Don't take me to be saying that you can't have dreams or goals, but, to be absolutely realistic, you probably won't accomplish all the goals that you set out to achieve; there are disappointments and failures ahead. Therefore, while you can use Philippians 4:13 to encourage you to win a competition or complete a hard assignment for work or school, the much more appropriate application for this verse is when you fail to accomplish that assignment or win that competition. These situations are difficult to be content with and we have a hard time dealing with them. This is why Paul refers to his reliance on Christ's power as a secret; it is not altogether obvious that Christ gives us the power to fail. Unlike what the health and wealth gospel preachers will tell you, it requires a lot more trust in God to accept failure and mediocrity than it does to trust Him to escape it.
          Therefore, look to God and thank him for the many blessings that you have. If you are reading this in the United States, you are probably in the 1 percent, as in the 1 percent of the world that will get to accomplish the things that you want to and live at the quality of life that comes with almost no effort at all. I think it's amusing that we want Philippians 4:13 to give us so many things, but fail to realize that Paul could not even imagine getting the things we have today when he wrote this verse. He didn't have dreams of living the "good" life, as in getting a raise at work so he could buy the houses, cars, and comfortableness that we already have before we try to use Philippians 4:13 to get even more.
In closing, meditate on Proverbs 30: 7-9:

7 “Two things I ask of you, O Lord;
    do not refuse me before I die:
8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
    give me neither poverty nor riches,
    but give me only my daily bread.
9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
    and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
    and so dishonor the name of my God.

Peace,
Simeon Snow