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Re: Bulletin Board [message #10805 is a reply to message #10799]

Mon, 10 February 2014 17:33

james
Messages: 2137
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL

Senior Member

The Importance of Being Content...but not Complacent.

Paul writes to Timothy in chapter six of the first epistle to him concerning the false teaching that gain is godliness, not so he admonishes. In fact, and contrary to the popular 'prosperity gospel' being taught today throughout the world; we're told that those teaching this message should be withdrawn from. Paul writes, under the inspiration of The Holy Spirit, "But godliness with contentment is great gain." v6

Jesus told the rich man in Mark 10:17-27 to sell what he had, give the proceeds to the poor, take up the cross, and follow Him. The man was unwilling, why? He wasn't willing to be content with trusting Jesus to provide for him day by day, taking no thought for the morrow. His treasure was in what he possessed and in it he trusted, even though he had obeyed the ten commandments. How many of us in America who profess the name of Christ are just like the rich man, willing to obey in many things but not all. The American dream is alive and well in the average church today, the hunger for 'more' eats at most Christians, when in reality we have so much more than the rest of the world already, yet so many strive for more. Not to have to share with those in need, but to stockpile 'for a rainy day' or just trying to 'keep up with the Jones's'. But Paul tells us that "And having food and raiment let us be content."

Being content in whatever state we're in (Phil.4:11-13) is different than being complacent. Complacency is not what a Christian is to have as a mindset. We told to always be pressing on in Christ(Phil.3:13-14). Jesus warns in Revelation about becoming lukewarm, which is complacency, satisfied with where we are our walk with Christ; maybe caught up in the day to day grind and just going through the motions of loving God and our fellow man. James writes in (James 2:15-20) that if a man professes to have faith(a Christian, follower of Jesus, overcomer...) and doesn't willingly provide for the needs of those who are destitute and hungry when it's within their power to help, they really don't have FAITH and their religion is dead and in vain.

Works don't save, but those truly saved produce works.(fruit) Complacency in obedience to the whole council of God is a dangerous place to find oneself, repentance is the answer. Learning to be content while obeying The Lord is a place of joy and peace.

“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”

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