Have you ever watched a post-game interview and seen a well-meaning Christian athlete give God the credit for his performance or his team’s victory? I usually have a mixed reaction to that…part of me appreciates the person’s sincerity in wanting to share how much God means to him, but often the declaration is accompanied by a sense of self-centeredness and bad theology that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I don’t think I’m alone in this. One the most MIS-quoted scriptures at times like this is “I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.” This verse is cherished by multitudes of those of us who cling to Christ…but unless we read it in the context of what comes before and after, we lose its meaning entirely.
Here’s the whole section:
“I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13)
This is an example of how easy it is to make scripture say what we want it to say. In the end, our relationship with God is not about getting Him to side with our cause…but us getting our own hearts & motives lined-up with His. I don’t think God cares about helping us become rich or driving nice cars or making our favorite teams win. He cares about people…our characters, relationships with Him and others, and our willingness to be faithful to His Kingdom in the midst of our short lives in this world.
I’m not so self-inflated as to believe my words will make a difference to any sports heroes, but this was a truth that God impressed on my heart this morning as I was studying Philippians 3 & 4. I want to allow Christ to transform my heart so entirely that His cause becomes mine, and that my identity & purpose can rise above whatever circumstances I find myself in so that I become part of His work in the world. I hope this helps you in the same way.
