Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Yesterday I asked “can you” and today I say you can, if you are in Christ. What exactly can we do in Christ?

In keeping with the last thing said yesterday, we can glorify God. When we think about all the “things” we can do we often lose sight of the purpose behind the gift we have been given. One is to love God and two is to love others.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary on glory Strong’s number 1391 “glory” (from dokeo, “to seem”), primarily signifies an opinion, estimate, and hence, the honor resulting from a good opinion. It is used (1) (a) of the nature and acts of God in self-manifestation, i.e., what He essentially is and does, as exhibited in whatever way he reveals Himself in these respects, and particularly in the person of Christ, in whom essentially His “glory” has ever shone forth and ever will do, John 17:5, 24.

Note closely the words self-manifestation. It is God who reveals Himself thru us and nothing that we caused to happen. We confuse “do all things” by insinuating self-effort and in doing so frustrate the Holy Spirit who has the power to reveal God.

When we first come to Christ we are new creations and as such do not know how to act in our new identity. Rather than learn who we are in Christ we try and be what we think Christ wants us to be in our own strength. I failed miserably is glorifying God in this manner. All I knew at my new birth was to be the old me and he was not a good representation.

In order to love others as Christ loves others we must first love God and embrace that relationship with all my heart, soul, and mind. Embrace His Word, agree with God, believe He keeps His promise and transform our minds in a way that we can see His will by faith and obey because we love Him and not just be He said so.