October 1, 2009
All Things
by Shawn McEvoy, Crosswalk.com Senior Editor
So that you may approve the things that are excellent.
Philippians 1:10
The Apostle Paul was gloriously obsessed with the victory of Christ that created freedom in Christ under the Lordship of Christ. How else to explain the non-stop use in his letters of the phrase "all things"? With these two little words, over and over again Paul reminds us just how much authority has come unto Jesus. If it doesn't take hold to hear that all authority in heaven and earth has been given him... that every knee shall bow and every tongue confess... that the battle has been won once for all... he goes further, into specific areas of our lives, to drive the point home.
Consider what Paul tells you that you, because of Christ, can now...
- Endure
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 - Become
I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 1 Corinthians 9:22 - Know
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 - Love
[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7 - Trust
For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17 - Profit
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything 1 Corinthians 6:12
The list doesn't end there, either. These powers and this dominion go beyond even Superman. Way past any government or earthly authority. And you serve The One who has them, and rather than oppressing you with his might, he leaves you free to live and move and have your being (Acts 17:28). Truly, his is...
...an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:10-11).
Intersecting Faith and Life: All you have to do is make him Lord of your life (which he already is anyway - what you must do is actively acknowledge it), and with those kind of mad skills at his disposal, why wouldn't you? That's one tremendous inheritance!