"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13
What can you do through Christ? "all things" Doing things through Christ means you do not do it on your own. Salvation is a good example; it is through Christ and not through any merit of our own. Paul made a profound statement in Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" the gift of God through Christ. Prayer is another example; "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." John 14:14. People are always attempting to go around Christ but it is imposable. Christ is our all and in all; we see Paul also write in 1 Corinthians 8:6 "But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him." We do not just have strength in Christ Jesus but we have all things in Christ and without Him we have nothing. Therefore, we must conclude that salvation is not salvation except it being totally in Christ. Prayer is not prayer if not prayed in the name of Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is concluded that outside of Christ and His strength we are powerless. We see so many today attempting to by-pass Christ in all of these areas, but that is a big mistake, because outside of Christ there is nothing but weakness and simply glorious words spoken in prayer and without Christ there cannot be salvation because it is only in His blood that sins as cleansed. "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Ephesians 2:13 works are not part of salvation because if salvation is by works then God is a liar. "Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:9 and in 2 Timothy 1:9 "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began," and not of baptism because Jesus Himself called baptism a work. "And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him." Matthew 3:15 Baptism is an act of righteousness and we are not saved by ACTS of righteousness. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us..." Titus 3:5 With all of this said we must conclude that without Christ, we can do absolutely nothing, but through Christ, we can do all things. We can be saved, we can speak directly to God in prayer, and we can even have the strength about us to give our own life for God, the doctrine of the bible, and even for the Lords churches. Yes, folk in Christ we can have all things as long as it is Gods blessed will for us. Never say, you can't do it; just do it in Christ and it will surprise you what Christ will give you the strength and ability to do. Paul said in his conclusion to the church at Ephesus, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Ephesians 6:10 When people try to do by themselves they fail, when people work for their salvation they will find themselves without, when people try to preach on their own and without Christ's glory, they will loose. Stand in Christ, lean on him and you will win, because there are no powers outside of His. Only if we totally go through Christ can Christ receive all glory due His blessed name.
