Everyone likes to quote the words of Jesus, whether to prove a point, or to catch someone in a contradiction. They also cite the words he didn’t say, in order to formulate their personal ideology (as if Jesus had a completely different belief system from God the Father).
Generally, Jesus’ life and teachings are used according to how they benefit us in any given situation, instead of using everything in light of the entire Word of God.
“Jesus only meant that for his disciples. Jesus only meant that for the Jewish people. Jesus didn’t mention that, so God must have changed His mind about it.” I have trouble keeping up with which teachings of Jesus to obey and which to ignore!
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. Then Jesus came to them and said… “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” – Matthew 28:16,18-20
Jesus’ teachings throughout the gospels were primarily directed at three groups of people: 1. His disciples. 2. The multitudes of Jewish people. 3. The Pharisees and Sadducees. So how do we know any of those commands are meant for us, as Christians today?
The Great Commission is still being carried out, despite the fact that it was a command given directly to the disciples and no one else. But any confusion there is cleared up by Jesus’ words in John 8:31. “Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.“
What about us as Gentiles? Should we also hold to the teachings given to the Jewish people? Jesus had many interactions with Gentiles throughout his ministry, and they experienced the same blessings that the Jews did. Paul addressed this issue in the book of Romans:
“After all, is God the God of the Jews only? Isn’t he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course he is.” – Romans 3:29
“For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him.” – Romans 10:12
Peter also covered it with his teaching in Acts 10: “Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” (verses 34-35)
And lastly, what about Jesus’ words directed to the religious people who wanted to kill him? Those have to be weighed in light of the entirety of Scripture, and every response he gave, whether it be about marriage, or the law, or love and compassion, is in keeping with the principles laid out by God all throughout his Word.
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” – John 14:12-14
When Jesus sent out the seventy-two in Luke 10, he made an important point in verse 2: “He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Jesus’ commands were not exclusive to the eleven disciples, nor to the seventy-two. But at that time, they were the ones who had left everything to follow him, and therefore they were the ones he was sending out. To believe that it no longer counts for us today makes absolute no sense. Why would he tell them to pray for more workers? He knew that we would be carrying out the work now!
The promise that God gave in Psalm 91:13 “You will tread on the lion and cobra; you will trample the young lion and serpent”, was confirmed again by Jesus in Luke 10:19 “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.”
He gave us authority over all the power of the enemy. The work that was started by the disciples, then continued by the early believers, is still moving today. To believe anything less is striping God of His power, and striping the Holy Spirit of his power that has been given to us through the anointing.
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
Are there certain verses we take out of context in order to force a belief or prove a point? Of course. But there’s an easy fix. We just have to learn what the verse means in the context of how it was written.
The word “strength” in the original language translates to: “I fill with power, strengthen, make strong. Which intensifies dynamóō, “sharing power-ability”) – properly, to impart ability (make able); empowered. “All things” translates to: “all, the whole, every kind of. pás – each, every; each “part(s) of a totality. The emphasis of the total picture.”
When Paul spoke these words, he was in prison. He had experienced much persecution for the gospel. He went through times where he had plenty, and times where he had little. (In the previous verses, he was lamenting the fact that the church wasn’t giving enough money to him, but most people gloss over that part).
Paul understood that his specific ministry was going to be difficult. “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” – Acts 9:16
When Bible-believing Christians quote Philippians 4:13, they use it as an encouragement, understanding that we are equipped to overcome everything. It’s not ignoring the reality of Paul’s situation. It doesn’t mean that God strengthens you to just do whatever you feel like, and He has to support it. Everything is always according to the will of God.
Paul wasn’t writing from a place of defeat. He wasn’t saying “well when things don’t work out, don’t worry, God will help you through it.” Because that would be a contradiction to the rest of Scripture. If we are more than conquerers through Christ, we can’t also be defeated by the devil at the same time.
Paul was reminding the Philippians of the sufficiency of Christ, that we don’t need anything else but him (understanding the fullness and power that comes through him). But, religious people will use that as evidence to have contentment when we’re poor, and sick and in constant turmoil, thinking that’s what God wants for us.
We get criticized for using a verse out of context, yet others use that same verse to try and prove that God doesn’t want our good, and life is just one long prison sentence. If you want to know the truth, you have to read the entirety of the Word of God, and allow the Spirit to come alive on the inside of you. Pray and believe for faith and understanding.
Jesus came so that we would life, (both of present physical life, and of future spiritual life, exerts a saving power spoken of earthly life), and have it to the fullest. (more, greater, excessive, abundant, exceedingly, preeminence, advantage.)
Why do we cling to the sufferings and disdain the blessings? It’s because of the defeated and powerless mindset perpetuated by religion, which is the very thing Jesus came to destroy.
You can put that on a t-shirt.
