Devotion: You Can Do All Things Through Christ

Paul, while speaking with the Philippians, thanked them for their concern for him and the gifts they sent to him (Philippians 4:10-20).  He told them that he had learned the secret to living in every situation, stating that he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him (verse 13).  But what does this statement, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” actually mean for us?  Jesus explains it this way:

“I am the true Vine, and my Father is the Gardener.  He lops off every branch that doesn’t produce.  And he prunes those branches that bear fruit for even larger crops.  He has already tended you by pruning you back for greater strength and usefulness by means of the commands I gave you.  Take care to live in me, and let me live in you.  For a branch can’t produce fruit when severed from the vine.  Nor can you be fruitful apart from me.  Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches.  Whoever lives in me and I in him shall produce a large crop of fruit.  For apart from me you can’t do a thing.  If anyone separates from me, he is thrown away like a useless branch, withers, and is gathered into a pile with all the others and burned.  But if you stay in me and obey my commands, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted!  My true disciples produce bountiful harvests.  This brings great glory to my Father” (John 15:1-8 TLB).

Because we are in Christ, who is the true vine, he explains how we are able to do all things through him.  Because we are in him and because we obey his commands, we are allowed to make any request we like and it will be granted to us.  Now, we know that some will place restrictions on “make any request we like and it will be granted to us” part, but if you are in Christ, you will only seek to do those things that are within the will of God and those things that are pleasing to God.  Notice what happens to those who separate themselves from the vine and are not in him; they don’t get pruned, but loped off.

We pray that this inspirational message will bless you, inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW