POWER

PHILIPPIANS 4:13 “I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME.” (KJV)
      “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (NJKJV)
      “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (NIV)
      “I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me strength and power.” (TLB)
      “I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” (RSV)
      “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (NASB)
      “I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.” (ASV)



      Our ministerial group, the Bethel Ministerial Association, is proud to say that one of our pastors/ministers/evangelists who grew up in our association was Keenan Smith, the founder of first, The Power Team and later, Team Impact. Their ministries have had the awesome blessing of reaching out to literally millions of young people around the world to share the Gospel.

     Through “feats of strength,” they demonstrate first what is possible with enough muscle in your body....bending iron bars, breaking baseball bats, folding frying pans, etc. That is impressive. But their message also tells young people about the incredible power that comes from following Jesus in your life.

     Many of their speakers/strong men were on the road to ruin when they gave their lives to Jesus. And now, they each testify that the power of Jesus in their lives is far greater than any physical power they ever possessed. It is the power that helps them live fruitful, victorious lives where everything else they had previously chosen did not. Let that be your message as well as you memorize Philippians 4:13.

     This Scripture is a little longer than the first three, but not that difficult to memorize. If you haven’t already incorporated this technique, write the verse down on a 3x5 card. Write the words, “Philippians 4:13" on the other side so you can quiz yourself to remember the Scripture reference (where the Scripture is found in the Bible.)

     One thing you have to decide that was not an issue in the first three verses we memorized is which version of this verse you want to memorize. I have listed seven of them. Don’t let this scare you. They use different words. Choose which one you like most. But, very importantly, realize that they can say different things.

     One of my complaints about the different versions of the Bible that are now so readily available to us is that you can’t use different words in the Scripture and not say different things. This discussion may influence your decision about which version to read as well.

     First, don’t be afraid of the word “strengtheneth.” This word is found in the old King James Version and there isn’t anything wrong with it. Strengtheneth is an older word that we don’t use much anymore, so I don’t have any problem substituting our more commonly used word, “strengthens”. I CAN do all things through Christ which strengthen me. That’s where the “rub” comes in.

     I think most of us would agree that this Scripture specifically teaches us that Jesus gives us the POWER to do things that we cannot do in our own strength. Hence, the testimony of the Power Team and many Christians who can testify of other feats of strength, even if they aren’t “strong men.” But, be patient with me here.

     The version of this Scripture you choose to memorize can say different things when different words are used. Make a wise, Spirit-led decision which version of the Bible you choose. Then, let the Holy Spirit teach you what the Scripture is actually saying, and use that wisdom to guide your life.

     The KJV could easily suggest that Christ helps us do all things which strengthen us. The implication would be that He might not help us do things which do not strengthen us. This can tend to emphasize the things He helps us with instead of His specific help. Do you see how those words have that meaning? Because of this, (and by the way, you don’t have to agree with me), I think the more accurate meaning of the Scripture is that Christ helps us do all things that He needs and wants us to do. So, I like the NKJV which says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” In other words, I have no problem using this version and substituting the word “who” for “which.” You might make that choice also.

     Now, not to belabor the point too much, but to use the NIV as our source to memorize and apply to our lives, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” could suggest that Jesus gives us strength to do everything. Without doubt, the emphasis of this Scripture is that Jesus gives us amazing strength to do what we always find out we cannot do alone. I cannot resist temptations that take me down so easily unless Jesus helps me. I can’t witness to others unless He gives me strength. I can’t memorize these Scriptures without the help of my Lord.

     We should never diminish the amazing things Jesus can give us power to do. But I have found that He does not give me power to do EVERYTHING! Pastor Keenan Smith can bench press 200 pounds of weight. I have no doubt that Jesus COULD give me power to do the same....but He does not.

     There are some things in life that Jesus does not want me to do. He does not give me strength to do those. There are other things that, although He could give me power to do (after all He is God, He created all things, there is nothing too hard for Him!) there is no reason for Him to do so.

     So, in my opinion, I will not quote the NIV version of this Scripture because I do not feel it is as accurate to what God is saying here as is the NKJV. Don’t be offended! I won’t criticize you if you love the NIV and want to memorize that version. This is one of the reasons I include other versions of Scriptures, so you can have a choice. I’m just saying, I prefer the NKJV. You choose.

     The same discussion applies to three other versions. The NASB says almost the same thing as the NKJV: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” This may give you ammunition to think that this may also be a reason to accept this use of words...because it gives the accepted or correct meaning of the Scripture, having been used in more than one source.

     The RSV and the ASV do change the meaning again, even if only slightly when they say, “I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” (RSV) or “...that strengtheneth me.” (ASV)

     I will say that I resist memorizing Scripture from paraphrased versions of the Bible. Paraphrase versions often add words to clarify meaning, as do expanded versions of the Bible. They use more words to try to make the meaning of the Scripture clearer to the reader. But in taking this liberty, they can get the meaning wrong. I don’t take that chance.

     The Living Bible says, “I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me strength and power.” This probably makes the meaning of this Scripture clearer, but it can also interject the same arguments as we previously discussed. I am absolutely sure that a new memorizer of Scripture will not choose this version, mostly because it is twice as long as the other versions and might prove to be harder to memorize. Go ahead....prove me wrong by memorizing it anyway. Again, you choose.

     The reason I chose to spend this much time discussing this topic is because it is important what you choose to memorize. By storing these words in your heart, you will refer to them later to help you live a Christian life. I want to be accurate when I do that. Some versions delete portions of Scripture found in other places. That can be dangerous to do! Don’t let that hinder you from memorizing the Word.

     This Scripture is often quoted as a favorite Scripture by many because it speaks to an amazing truth in living the Christian life. Jesus does help us do all things in our walk with Him because He gives us the strength to do them. Praise the Lord for that!

     When I think I can’t be faithful, through Him and the strength He provides, I find out I can. We do not have to live powerless Christian lives because we just realize we are too weak. We are strong through Him. I know I am prone to sin....to return to those things that displease the Lord that He saved me from. I don’t believe, doctrinally, that I will achieve perfection...a life always without sin...this side of the grave. But, I also don’t think the Lord expects us to so rely on His grace and take it for granted...living powerless, sinful lives content to know that His grace will cover it, so we can live any way we want to.

     We do not have to live that kind of life. His strength is sufficient to help me do ALL THINGS...even chose to NOT SIN! That’s what He meant when He said, “I will provide a way to escape.” (We will learn that Scripture later.)

     Yes, Jesus does give Keenan the POWER to do great feats of strength! He gave me power to learn how to fly jets. He will give you power to do things for Him in your life you never thought you could do. He chooses not to give me power to do the same things He gives you power to do. But what I have found He does, is provide power to every one of us to do the things we need to do to live for Him.

     Don’t give up. Don’t think He can’t work through you. Don’t think He won’t provide. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!

     Questions to consider: Does it make a difference which version of any Scripture we choose to memorize? Does using different words in different versions change the meaning of the verse? What are some things Jesus might not give me strength to do? Is this Scripture about self-sufficiency? Is it my tendency to try to do everything by myself? How quickly do we find out how strong we aren’t when we try to do things by ourselves? What is the most significant event the Lord has demonstrated this Scripture by in your life?