The Word For The Day – February 21, 2009

Today’s scripture is Philippians 4:13 (KJ)

13 - I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

This verse has been mis-translated by people so much and that mis-translation has robbed the scripture of its power and our ability as Christians to use it effectively.

In order to truly understand this scripture, one word must be translated properly for us to get an understanding of what God is saying.  Not only will translating this word open up this scripture for you, but if you will take that translation and use it throughout the New Testament, it will open your eyes to things in the Word you’ve never seen or understood before.  I know this because it did so for me.

The word I’m talking about is “Christ.”  People seem to think that “Christ” is Jesus’ last name or only a reference to Him as the Messiah but it means so much more when properly translated and defined.

The word, Christ, is actually a Greek word which, when translated, means the Anointed One and refers to the Anointing.  So, let me phrase that scripture as it should be.

I can do all things through the Anointed One and His Anointing which strengthens me. 

If you will let that sink in, you will realize that it is the Anointing (God on flesh doing what only God can do), which empowers you to do all things.  It was the Anointing that enabled Jesus to do miracles.  It was the Anointing that empowered Jesus to live as He did.  He was not superhuman when He was on this earth.  He chose to empty Himself of His Godly powers while He lived here to show us how to live and succeed by faith. 

He knew that the only way to serve as a true example to us was to become like us and live as one of us showing us how to do things God’s way on the earth.

If you will translate the word Christ throughout the New Testament with the power of the Anointing in mind, you will see much more of how God expects us to operate in the earth.

The reason the Bible says to “touch not my Anointed,” which are the servants of God (often the teachers, pastors, prophets, apostles and evangelists) is because the Anointing rests on them.  When those in the Body of Christ criticizes the leaders and those in service to God, they are attacking God’s Anointing.  Even if someone is doing something they aren’t supposed to , our instructions are to pray for them and restore them back to Godly obedience.  It is not our job to condemn them.  No matter what you may hear in the media, your job as a believer is to lift them up and believe for God to restore them.

Every one who has made Jesus the Lord of their life is a Christian and part of the Body of Jesus on this earth.  Jesus said that the world would recognize us as believers by our love for each other and the sinner.  That doesn’t mean condoning the sin.  You love the person and condemn the sin.

However, if we are always attacking each other and criticizing each other, we are hurting the whole Body of the Anointed One and His Anointing.  The Bible says the Anointing destroys the yoke, meaning the bondage of sin, sickness, lack and troubles.  But if we are in strife or being critical, the power of the Anointing is stopped so protecting the Anointing on your life and the Anointing God has placed on others’ lives is a real serious thing. 

You, as a Christian, are anointed by God to fulfill the plan He has for you but doing so requires your obedience, submission to and cooperation with God.  It’s your choice but God will hold you accountable for the choice you make.

My suggestion is to take the translation of the word Christ and go through the New Testament, especially the Book of Acts on and see how that translation transforms scriptures that may have held no power for you in the past.  I highly recommend translating that word from now on.  It has revolutionized my life over the past 14 years since I was first taught that.  I challenge you to let it do the same for you.

Have a blessed day and may God empower you to prosper in every area of your life.