Christian Contentment - A Study through Philippians (12)

 

Today's blog was written by Martin Davids

Unlocking Christian Contentment.

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. 21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. (Philippians 4:10-23)

So we come to the end of Philippians and the final blog in the series on Christian contentment.  

The seven ‘keys’ to Christian Contentment.  

First, the contented Christian is secure in God’s providence. Paul writes in verse 10, “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.” The Philippian believers had great concern for Paul, but because he was constantly on the move, and also because there was no WhatsApp or email, they often did not know where Paul was located.  The point to be made is that Paul was utterly secure in God’s providence. He knew that God would provide for him at exactly the right time. Do you want to be content? It starts with a secure confidence in God’s providence.

Second, the contented Christian is satisfied in whatever situation. Paul writes in verse 11, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” This statement flows from the previous one. Paul was chained to a Roman soldier, living in tiny quarters, and subsisting on a meagre diet. Nevertheless, he could affirm his complete contentment, in spite of his circumstances. True contentment comes only from God, and enables believers to be satisfied and at ease in the midst of any problem.”

Third, the contented Christian is fulfilled in every circumstance. Paul elaborates on verse 11. He writes in verse 12, “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” Paul had wonderful highs, and he had miserable lows.  Yet, in every circumstance, he was content. However, it did not just happen. He says that he “learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” Contentment was not a personality attribute. It was not a character trait. No. Paul learned to be content. Few Christians experience the trials and difficulties that Paul did. Let us learn to be content in every circumstance.

Fourth, the contented Christian is strengthened through Christ. Paul writes in verse 13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” This is one of the most misinterpreted verses in all of Scripture. It is used as an inspirational verse to mean, “I can do anything through him who strengthens me” or “I can do everything through him who strengthens me.” But that is not what verse 13 means.  As with any passage of Scripture, the context governs its meaning. Paul is saying that in every circumstance in which he finds himself, whether facing plenty or in hunger, whether in abundance or in need, he will be divinely strengthened to do anything and everything that God calls him to do. He is convinced that as he goes about his ministry, Christ will give him the strength to accomplish his calling.

Fifth, the contented Christian is resting in God’s promise. Paul writes in verses 14-16, “Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.” He affirms the Philippians for their support of him. In fact, in verse 18 he writes, “I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.” In verse 17, Paul says that his joy was not because of the material benefit that the Philippians’ gift brought to him, but because of the spiritual benefit their gift was to them, “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.” And so Paul concludes this section with a wonderful affirmation in verse 19, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”  Of all the promises in God’s word, Philippians 4:19 is the most precious. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Whatever your need, not your wants, God will supply it. The contented Christian is resting in God’s promise.

Sixth, the contented Christian is consumed with God’s glory. Paul writes in verse 20, “To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Paul would affirm the answer to the first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” He was consumed with the glory of God. And that should be our goal too. True contentment lies in being consumed with the glory of God.

And seventh, the contented Christian is filled with God’s grace. Paul writes a final greeting in verse 21-22, “Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.” And then Paul concludes his letter with verse 23, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” Paul understood that the Christian life, from start to finish, is a life of grace. We are the recipients of God’s grace, and contentment is found in knowing and experiencing the grace of God every moment of every day in our lives.

Summing it all up.

John Piper is well known for his statement, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.” That is really a statement about contentment. True contentment is found only in God. So, let us find all our satisfaction in God, and we will discover true and lasting contentment.

Prayer for the day.

Our Gracious God,

We thank you for your Word, that we might learn through it and through the example of your faithful servant Paul what it means to be content as a Christian.  This last year has brought us many new challenges and when we look at our circumstances it is easy to feel overwhelmed and far from content.  May we take encouragement through what we have learned today and apply it to our lives that we might find true contentment in you. 

We ask in Jesus’ name and for His glory.

Amen.   

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Christian Contentment - A Study through Philippians (11)

 

Today's blog was written by Martin Davids

Stand Firm

2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have laboured side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:2-9)

Contentment comes from standing firm

When it comes to doctrine, there are lines in the sand which we must defend. However, when the problems are personal or relational or secondary, Paul wants believers “to agree in the Lord.” Euodia and Syntyche apparently had some kind of disagreement. Paul does not say what it is. I don’t think it is a doctrinal issue, because if it were, Paul would have addressed that as he always did in his letters. Paul notes that the women are believers. Indeed, their names, along with Clement and the rest of Paul’s fellow workers “are in the book of life.”

The vast majority of church splits are not over doctrine. They are over personal and relational issues. People break fellowship about a program, or hurt over a comment, or frustrated over something secondary, and they leave the church. Paul’s point is that to stand firm in the Lord we must agree in the Lord.

Next, to stand firm in the Lord we must rejoice in the Lord always. Paul writes in verse 4, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” The joy that appears in Philippians is a particular kind of joy—the joy of contentment even in difficult circumstances. Keep in mind Paul is awaiting his sentence, which could be a death sentence. It is in this particular setting that he is encouraging the Philippians to “rejoice in the Lord always.” So, to stand firm in the Lord we must agree in the Lord, and we must rejoice in the Lord always.

Third, to stand firm in the Lord we must be reasonable. The Greek word in verse 5 is the opposite of being contentious or self-seeking, which is why the ESV opts for “reasonableness.” We all struggle with self, don’t we? We want to be known for our work ethic, or our looks, or our humour, or our wisdom, or our Bible teaching, or our prayer life, or, for preachers, our preaching. We all struggle with self.  Paul goes on to say why we must be reasonable. He writes, “The Lord is at hand.” That could mean that we should live in light of the Lord’s second advent. But, I think it more likely means that the Lord is with us wherever we are. He sees where we go, he hears what we say, and he knows what we think. So, to stand firm in the Lord we must agree in the Lord, rejoice in the Lord always, and be reasonable.

To stand firm in the Lord we must not be anxious about anything.  Now, the difficulty for most of us is that when we hear the command not to be anxious about anything, we don’t know how to do that. Hasn’t that been the challenge for us for the last year of Covid? How do I stop being anxious? Paul goes on to tell us how. He writes in verse 6, “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” The remedy for anxiety is prayer. You are anxious about something. So, Paul says, pray about it. Pray about it fervently. Pray about it until you have the peace of God in your heart and mind. So, to stand firm in the Lord we must agree in the Lord, rejoice in the Lord always, be reasonable, and not be anxious about anything.

Finally, to stand firm in the Lord we must think holy thoughts. We need to keep in mind that God not only knows what I do and say, but he also knows my thoughts. When I first learned computer programming in school, we learning the acronym “GIGO,” which means, “garbage in, garbage out.” That is true for our minds as well. If we put garbage into our heads, then we can expect garbage to come out. However, if we think holy thoughts, we can expect to grow in holiness. Paul goes on to say in verse 9, “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Practically, Paul wants us to imitate Christians who are further along than we are. Find godly Christians to imitate and from whom to learn. And, as you do so, as you “practice these things, the God of peace will be with you.”

Summing it up

How do we find contentment in an ever-changing world?  We do so by standing firm.  In a battle, to “stand firm” is a defensive action. It can be very hard and difficult. It does not just happen. Soldiers must be well-trained, and they must work well together in order to hold the ground they have won. The Christian life is also a battle. We battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil. The battle is, at times, very hard and difficult. Standing firm takes hard work and discipline.  Brothers and sisters, let me encourage you to stand firm. Let me encourage you to be disciplined and work hard at standing firm in the Lord. According to Paul, to stand firm in the Lord we must agree in the Lord, rejoice in the Lord always, be reasonable, not be anxious about anything, and think holy thoughts.

Prayer for the day.

Our Father in heaven,

Ad we face the battles of our day; from the world, our flesh and the devil help us to stand firm.  Let us never be swayed by petty squabbles or gossip that would seek to disrupt the fellowship – let us flee from such divisive people and be quick to reconcile with those we ourselves have offended.  Help us to rejoice in all circumstances and not be overcome with anxiety.  Finally, we ask for the aid of the Holy Spirit to guard our minds against impurity that we not sin against you. 

For we ask all this in the name of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.   

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Christian Contentment - A Study through Philippians (10)

 

Today's blog was written by Martin Davids

Running the Race

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.  19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. (Philippians 3:12-4:1)

I know a number of people at Manor Park are runners.  I’m not, well at least not long distance.  I was however, at school, very good over a short distance (100 and 200 metre sprints).  When practising and training for these events our PE teacher would drum into us; focus just beyond the finishing line.  Never turn your head to see who is coming.  At speed and over such a short distance that would cause us to run a wonky line or trip up.  

Face to face

Most commentators would say that Paul uses sporting analogies in his writing and here we can imagine him thinking about a long-distance runner pursuing the finishing line. However, Paul applies this to his life and pursuit of Christ. He writes in verse that he wants to “gain Christ” and “know him.” Paul wants to behold Jesus face-to-face. That is why Paul says that he has not “already obtained this” or is “already perfect.” Paul knows that this will only happen when he beholds Jesus face-to-face.  It seems that Paul’s driving resolve was to see Jesus face-to face. That is why he goes on to say “…but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”

Actually, the language in the Greek is a little more colourful. Paul says, “…but I am pursuing, if indeed I may seize (it) for I was seized by Christ Jesus.” Paul is thinking of his Damascus Road experience, where Jesus “seized” Paul for himself. Now, Paul says, his life resolve is to “seize” Jesus. He lives for him. He serves him. He suffers for him. His entire life is to seize the one who seized him.

Pursuit is involved in straining toward the goal.  Paul is very conscious that he has not yet arrived. He is not yet perfect. He is certainly a new creation in Christ, but he does not yet see Jesus face-to-face. Paul has a single-minded goal: “But one thing I do….” Paul was clearly involved in all kinds of ministry. He was a preacher, teacher, author, pastor, counsellor, evangelist, and so on. But, all those roles and functions flow out of his supreme ambition.  Paul forgets the past. He strains forward to the future. And presses on toward the goal in the present.

In verse 15, Paul was writing against the false teachers. They believed that it was possible to attain perfection in this life. Paul did not believe that. Mature Christians know that they are still on the journey toward.  Paul wants the Philippians to continue pursuing Jesus. He wants them to continue running the race that they had started. We do not believe in sinless perfection in this life. We know that the Christian life is a journey, a race, toward the time when we will behold the glory of the Lord and enjoy perfect and sinless communion with him.

A warning.

Sadly, though, not everyone who professes to be a Christian is in fact a Christian. The Bible is full of warnings to false professors (verse 18). We must never think that just because a person prays the “sinner’s prayer,”, gets baptized, and so on, is necessarily a true Christian. In verse 19 Paul goes on to give four brief warnings of those who make a false profession of faith.  Paul’s warning is simply that the way we live, the things we desire, the things in which we boast, the things that occupy our thinking tell whether or not we are true Christians. Interestingly, in this warning, Paul says nothing about faith. Instead, he is saying that our lifestyle reveals whether or not we have true faith.

Our future hope and summing it up

Paul wanted to assure true believers about their eternal destiny and status. So, he said in verses 20-21 that when Jesus returns, he will transform our bodies into glorified bodies. This will, of course, only take place at the Second Coming of Jesus. When we die, our bodies go into the ground and our spirits go to heaven. It is in that moment of death that believers will see Jesus face-to-face. And then we will wait for the consummation of all things, when Jesus returns a second time, and inaugurates the new heaven and the new earth.

Exhortation is involved in straining toward the goal. Paul concludes this section in verse 1 of chapter 4, “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.” Paul’s final exhortation to mature believers is simply, “…stand firm thus in the Lord.” In other words, believe that you will see Jesus face-to-face. Know that he has seized you. Therefore, live your life so as to seize him. Pursue the Lord with purpose and passion.

Prayer for the day.

Lord,

As we go through each day help us to keep our eyes focused upon you.  We long for the day that we see Jesus face to face but Lord, we are so aware that you have much for us to do in our journey.  Forgive us when we do not live up to the standards that you have set and may we be always repenting when we fail.  Give us strength through your Holy Spirit to run the race set before us.  Give us greater love for you and for each other.

We ask for the sake of Jesus.

Amen. 

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Christian Contentment - A Study through Philippians (9)

 

Today's blog is written by Martin Davids

Contentment in being a true convert.

 

1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 2Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:1-11)

 

Characteristics of Those Who Have Right Standing Before God.

Paul wanted the Philippians to know that a characteristic of believers is that they “rejoice in the Lord.” It is important to notice that this rejoicing is not a disconnected joy, but it is a rejoicing “in the Lord.” In other words, Paul connected rejoicing with a relationship. As John MacArthur says, “The sphere in which their joy exists is in their relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Second, they look out for false teachers. Paul wanted to warn the Philippians about false teachers. The false teachers were teaching that in order for a person to be saved he had to be circumcised. In other words, he had to obey the Old Testament law regarding circumcision. But, they did not understand that outward circumcision was not a requirement for salvation. God wanted a circumcised heart, their insistence on circumcision did nothing to provide salvation; it only mutilated the flesh.

Third, they worship by the Spirit. Any person can go through the outward form of worship. But, only a believer is enabled to worship by the Spirit of God, because true worship is supernatural in origin.

Fourth, they glory in Christ Jesus. The word “glory” has the sense of “to boast” or “to exult in.” Those who have right standing before God know that it is not because of anything within themselves; they stand before God because of what Christ Jesus has done. So, they glory in, they boast about, they exult in Christ Jesus.

And fifth, they put no confidence in the flesh. Those who have right standing before God know that they were utterly incapable of earning or meriting salvation. They know that their confidence—their only confidence—lies in what Christ Jesus has done for them and not in what they have done to earn salvation.

Advantages That Do Not Contribute to Right Standing Before God

Paul’s point in stating his ancestral advantages is that sacrament “circumcised on the eighth day”, nationality “of the people of Israel”, and family “the tribe of Benjamin” do not contribute anything at all to right standing before God. But, what about achieved advantages?

First, the achieved advantage of tradition does not contribute to right standing before God. Paul went on to write that he was “a Hebrew of Hebrews”.  Second, the achieved advantage of religion does not contribute to right standing before God. When Paul got old enough, he was so zealous that as to the law, he became a Pharisee.  Third, the achieved advantage of zeal does not contribute to right standing before God. As further evidence of his zeal, Paul was a persecutor of the church.  Fourth, the achieved advantage of outward righteousness does not contribute to right standing before God. Paul wrote in verse 6, “…as to righteousness under the law, blameless.”  Yet, none of this brought Paul peace or contentment for he wrote, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.” In other words, whatever supposed advantages Paul had, they counted for nothing when he encountered Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. The things that Paul once thought so important to his right standing before God were actually loss.

Benefits That Belong to Those Who Have Right Standing Before God  

One could take all the advantages in the world, all the riches in the world, all the religions of the world, and it would never make us content in fact just the opposite; it is all a loss in comparison to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus. Nothing in the entire world compares to knowing Jesus. That is why Paul could go and write, “For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him”

Paul realized that his own righteousness was as filthy rags in God’s sight. Paul’s righteousness counted for nothing. Christ’s righteousness counted for everything. All he had to do was trust that Jesus credit Paul with Christ’s own righteousness.

Summing it up.

Let us be sure that we are in Christ. Let us not be deceived about our spiritual condition. We are not right with God because we were baptized, or born into a Christian home, or had family members who were Christians. Nor are we right with God because we go to the right church or denomination, serve in church, try to obey the Ten Commandments, or are zealous for the Lord. There are many ‘religious’ people who run after these things for years and never find happiness or contentment.

We as Christians find our contentment in the fact that we have come into a right standing before God. And there is only one way in which that happens (repentance and faith), and it is when the righteousness of Christ is credited to us, and we believe it. Our righteousness is worthless, but Christ’s righteousness is acceptable to God. So, let us trust in Christ alone and his righteousness for our salvation. That is the only way we may have right standing before God. Amen.

Prayer for the day.

Father,

We confess that so many times we have tried to serve in in our own might.  Have, like Paul sought to find the source of our right standing with you in our own deeds and perceived works of righteousness.  Help us to see that without the righteousness of Christ that we are lost and without hope.  Let us boast only in the finished work of your Son and find our contentment only in him.

We ask in Jesus’ name

Amen.  

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