"Trial-Free Living, is It Possible?”
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Phil. 4:13
While many of us know what it is to go through trials, some have gone through more than others. But to believe that we can live trial-free is
I often hear people quote Phil. 4:13, “ I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthen me”. But often people think the “ALL THINGS” is meaning:
I can prosper financially through Christ.
I can be healed through Christ.
I can live free from persecution through Christ.
I can live problem-free.
That is really NOT what this passage is saying or what it means.
Note: ALL SCRIPTURE SHOULD BE INTERPRETED BASED ON THE CONTEXT IN WHICH IT WAS WRITTEN.
Let’s look at Phil. 4:13, but this time in the context in which it was written by reading at least verses 10-19.
I’m not saying we can’t be VICTORIOUS in the Christian life; but victory doesn’t mean living trial-free. It is victory in spite of the trials.
So it is with joy – Joy is NOT based on what “happens” around us, but it is a joy that we experience in Christ in spite of circumstance/trials.
That’s why I’m not fond of translations using the word “happy” in the Beatitudes (see Matthew 5) instead of the word “blessed”.
Happy comes from the word “HAP” and means “CHANCE OR GOOD LUCK” and is based totally of what happens around you. It is not AT ALL what Jesus was saying to us in the Beatitudes. I don’t have happiness (chance or luck), I am BLESSED according to the Beatitudes. I have victory, joy, and Blessedness INDEPENDENT AND IN SPITE OF TRIALS.
The Apostle Paul wrote so much on victory in Christ, yet he lived a life full of trials and persecution. Here’s a list of SOME of what Paul went through as stated in 2 Cor. 11:23-27:
1. Labours/toils abundant.
2. In prison frequently.
3. Often in danger of death.
4. Five times received 39 stripes.
5. Beaten with rods.
6. Stoned.
7. Three times shipwrecked.
8. In his travels his life was constantly in danger.
9. In danger by false brethren.
10. In weariness and painfulness/distress.
11. In hunger, thirst, and fastings.
12. Cold and naked.
These are part of Paul’s list that should be included in our minds when we quote Phil. 4:13.
Paul’s ability to deal with life’s trials/adversities did NOT come through self-sufficiency, BUT THROUGH CHRIST’S SUFFICIENCY.
Then Hebrews 11 – Oh, we love to quote those heroes of the FAITH but
only certain ones, then we stop. But wait, God’s Word doesn’t stop. It says
in verses 35-37 that by FAITH they were also:
1. Tortured.
2. Experienced cruel mockings and scourgings.
4. Bonds (possibly chains) and prison.
3. Stoned.
4. Sawed to death.
5. Killed by a sword.
6. Wondered about being destitute, afflicted (distressed), tormented.
THE MAN WHO WALKS WITH CHRIST CAN DEAL WITH ANY TRIAL OR ADVERSITY THAT MAY COME HIS WAY.
When CHRIST strengthens us, it means He infuses us with strength or empowers us. It means He pours His power into us.
So, my bother or sister in Christ, if you are going through some trials, “think it not strange” I Peter 4:12-13.
If you are being hated and terribly persecuted, remember Jesus was hated first, Jesus was persecuted first; and if we are followers of Christ, we too will be hated and persecuted (as stated in John 15:18-20 and in many other passages).
TRIALS AND PERSECUTIONS MAY COME OUR WAY,
BUT AS WE KEEP OUR EYES ON JESUS, IN VICTORY WE STAY!
God bless you all,
Jim (BibleFood@aol.com)