“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

I love this verse! This is one of my absolute favorites in the Bible. I wouldn’t be surprised if it weren’t one of your favorites.

But, this is also one of the verses that are most taken out of context.

The truth contained in this passage has nothing to do with:

• Sports and winning
• Lifting heavier weights
• Running faster
• Accomplishing personal dreams
• Overcoming low self-esteem

Look at the context: “For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:11-12).

You know what Paul is talking about? He’s talking about being content and joyful because of all that Christ has done, regardless of the circumstances he is facing. Paul is talking about how to live the life of faith with joy even in the midst of adversity and hardship. This has to do living faithfully and joyfully in the midst of suffering and persecution.

Do you know where Paul wrote Philippians? He wrote Philippians while in Prison in Rome.

That’s the context.

I love this verse. It’s one of my favorites. I pray that I too can live a life of joy and faith in all circumstances.

“While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples, ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ On hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:15-17).

It is absolutely true that Jesus ate with tax collectors. It is absolutely true that prostitutes and men and women of questionable sexual practice found themselves in the company of Jesus.

The tax collectors and sinners seem comfortable around Jesus.

It is absolutely true that tax collectors and sinners were loved by Jesus.

However, Jesus did not eat with tax collectors and sinners because he wanted to be inclusive, tolerant, and accepting. Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners to call them to repentance. If we miss that we miss the whole point of the cross.

Jesus came to call sinners to repentance. That’s why Jesus ate with sinners. That’s why you and I have hope.

If you are a sinner, Jesus is great news!

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15).

There are a couple of passages in the Bible where it makes me wonder – Is he serious? What if he really means it?

This is one of those passages.

A few things about this:

• That we are to forgive is a given. And we are to forgive who have sinned against us. This is not about who’s at fault or who is wrong. We have been sinned against. The other party is guilty. AND Jesus expects us to forgive them
• So much so when we do not forgive, Jesus says that we will not be forgiven either.
• Yikes!!!

Even when we forgive others, the pain, the scars, and the residual discomfort are all still there. Even after forgiving others, all this remains. The past is still the past. Nothing has changed.

But, when we forgive others what changes is our future. While forgiving others cannot change our past it can absolutely change our future. What God is more interested in is our future.

Lastly, forgiving others does not mean that we do not hold people accountable for their actions. That would be irresponsible. There are consequences that cannot be reversed even though the individual can be forgiven.

The reason why Jesus takes forgiveness so seriously is because your future is tied to your capacity to forgive.