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.

Matthew 22:36-37 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Can you love God with all your heart, soul and mind?

Early in life I was told that a mother’s love is the greatest love. My mother failed me. I was told that I would relate to God by my father’s love for me. My father failed me. It became apparent to me that my parents could not give anything more than what they had. It just wasn’t in them.

That thought rang true in my soul this morning when I realized the truth of the great command to love God with all of our being.

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

The only way any of us can love God with perfect love is if that perfect love abides in our hearts.

Matthew 22:36 asks about the Mosaic Law, the first commandment. Jesus explains the law in relevant terms that clarify what it means to have no gods before Yahweh.

Jesus brokered a new covenant, a new contract, which says: “You couldn’t love perfectly no matter how hard you tried, so I will do it for you.”

The OT is fully of examples of how man’s love for God failed. The NT is full of examples of how God’s perfect love has not failed us.

I’ve tried to love and failed. Even today when I try in my own strength I come up short. It is only by faith, grace and mercy that the abiding love of God shows.

John 17:10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.