What comes to your mind when you hear the word, “contentment?” Most often people think of a warm fuzzy feeling like you would picture a contented cow chewing the cud.
Is that kind of contentment possible in this “stressed out” world in which we live? Is it possible for a person to enjoy the tranquility of contentment in the midst of adversity and turmoil? For a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, that is not only possible, it’s part of that purpose to which God is working all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are the called according to His purpose as He works His purposes to conform each one to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:28–30 (ESV) — 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
How does this kind of contentment look and how is it developed in us? It’s a consistency that is present in the highs and the lows of life, or as the apostle Paul said that he learned contentment through times of being brought low and times of abounding. The key was that his focus, his strength, and thereby his confidence came from the Lord Jesus Christ, and that is grace.
Philippians 4:10–13 (ESV) — 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.
Notice that grace was poured out in the midst of difficulty that was so great that he called out for relief three times, but each time he was reminded of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ that would suffice him so much that he not only found contentment in the affliction, but realized the affliction made him even more dependent upon the Lord which increased his confidence.
2 Corinthians 12:8–10 (ESV) — 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Wouldn’t it be great to enjoy such confidence and contentment? How would that look if you were? Notice it flows out of godliness and that flows from God’s grace and our following in that grace as a good steward of the grace that God has given to us.
1 Timothy 6:6–8 (ESV) — 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
Titus 2:11–14 (ESV) — 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Philippians 2:12–13 (ESV) — 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV) — 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
When you stop and think about it, contentment is a grace that God works in our lives, from which we are greatly benefitted to sustain the ups and downs of life. It’s not a mysterious attribute that we have obtained through natural efforts, rather a grace that flows from our following in the grace that He gives to us and living a life of dependency upon the Lord Jesus Christ and His grace.
John 15:5 (ESV) — 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
John 10:10 (ESV) — 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
John 1:16 (ESV) — 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
1 Corinthians 15:8–10 (ESV) — 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
Contentment is a great blessing or as stated in 1st Timothy 6:6, “great gain.” It’s a remarkable goal for which to reach, but only obtained through living in dependency upon the Lord and His grace. As you receive grace, as with all that God provides, it is a duty to take and use what He provides, never forgetting the source of the blessing. Therein lies the statement of confidence and the focus which produces contentment in every circumstance.
Philippians 4:13 (ESV) — 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
