By Robert Mac Donald & Josimar Salum (*)
Paul says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (I Timothy 6:6)
Paul also says, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11)
It is a wonderful thing to be content in the Lord. But, is it?
Are you aware that there are many Christians who view the word contentment in the negative? You know, words create pictures! Sometimes negative, sometimes positive.
It goes something like this:
“If you are content you have lost your vision, direction and purpose in life.”
“If you are content you are complacent and going nowhere.”
“If you are content your church will not grow and people will not be saved and brought into the Kingdom of God.”
The concept of contentment has developed a very negative connotation in the church today.
It seems to go against the Great Commission of “go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
But contentment is not complacence, alienation or inertia. Contentment is a source of strength, the only way to overcome frustration and develop a positive atmosphere wherever we live and work. It is in fact a source of happiness in life.
Allow me to share some insights that might empower you and impact your life and ministry for the Glory of God.
First and foremost we need to be content with “WHO” we are in Christ Jesus. This has many dimensions to it.
Our identity is who we are because of the New Birth experience. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (I John 3:1)
Our behavior reflects our growth in Sanctification. “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” (I Peter 1:15)
It would be great if the two were identical: Our behavior matching who we are!
In reality we are on our journey of growth in Christ Jesus: “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, Who is the Spirit. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (I Corinthians 3:18, Philippians 3:12)
One of the biggest mistakes we make is to equate our identity with our behavior.
Our behavior is in a constant flow, sometimes moving forward and sometimes backwards.
But the spiritual reality is that despite of all this constant flow we are being transformed into the perfect image of our Lord and Savior because of Who we are. “And that is what we are! We shall be like Him.”
Our identity is fixed in heaven, it is unchangeable. It is because of our Lord and Savior who died, shed His blood, arose from the dead and ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for you and me.
Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth and called them saints. Did you know that in the eyes of God you are a saint? Yes, that is amazing: You are a saint!
There is a difference between being a saint and be living a saintly life. One has to do with our identity (which comes from salvation) and the other has to do with our behavior (which it is being changed in the process of Sanctification).
Too often we spend most of our time looking at our behavior and not enough time glazing on our identity. This is no small point of truth to apprehend.
We are God’s workmanship! (Ephesians 2:10) We are lumps of clay in the hands of our Sovereign Father and that, my friend, is something to get excited about.
He is the Potter and we are the clay. Every breath we breathe, every step we take, every decision we make is bringing Glory to God because of who we are and not because of what we do or are gifted for. It is because we are God’s children and not because we are apostles, or prophets, or evangelists, or pastors and/or teachers.
When we are frustrated and don’t know what to do or what direction to take, we must remember we are in His hands. We are His workmanship indeed.
When we feel inadequate, discouraged, or depressed: even thinking God has failed us, let us remember that we “are complete in Him.” (Colossians 2:10)
Please think about these truths even if your flesh and natural minds tell you different. You are a saint (pure, justified and blameless). Not might be some day, but you are!
We are His workmanship! Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, four weeks a month and twelve months a year. Forever!
In you trials and challenges, in your joys and sorrows He has you in His hands and He is molding and fashioning you every day.
When you feel incomplete, and or maybe as a church leader get discouraged in seeing “other churches growing” when yours are standing still, fear not, you are complete in Him and God is at work in your life. It is not the size of your ministry or the work you do for Him that makes God happy about you, it is because of “Who” you are!
I will say it once more, we are His children, we are saints, we are His workmanship, and we are complete in Him. These are our identity! Let us be content in “which” we are. Let us rejoice and be thankful even in the midst of trials, even when things are not going well in our own evaluation.
Because we are, our behavior will come into alignment with our identity. As we understand these truths and get all the contentment that comes with it, our lives will be plenty of joy, our ministries will be more fulfilling and our families will be blessed.
(*) Robert Mac Donald is a "pastor for pastors." He is the founder and director of Trinity Ministries Inc, a ministry to pastors and their families. He specializes in Prevention and Crisis Intervention. Contact Info: Tel 617-471-7360 or email PastorBob5@abbanet.org
(*) Josimar Salum is the Executive Director of Greater Revival Ministries (Advancing the Kingdom, Transforming Society) and BMNET – Brazilian Ministers Network (Manifesting Unity through Relationships). He is also member of CCN – Cornerstone Church Network (http://www.ccnetonline.org/). He trains and equips believers to become leaders in all spheres of society. Contact Info: Tel 774-696-3714 or email jsalum@abbanet.org
Paul says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (I Timothy 6:6)
Paul also says, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11)
It is a wonderful thing to be content in the Lord. But, is it?
Are you aware that there are many Christians who view the word contentment in the negative? You know, words create pictures! Sometimes negative, sometimes positive.
It goes something like this:
“If you are content you have lost your vision, direction and purpose in life.”
“If you are content you are complacent and going nowhere.”
“If you are content your church will not grow and people will not be saved and brought into the Kingdom of God.”
The concept of contentment has developed a very negative connotation in the church today.
It seems to go against the Great Commission of “go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
But contentment is not complacence, alienation or inertia. Contentment is a source of strength, the only way to overcome frustration and develop a positive atmosphere wherever we live and work. It is in fact a source of happiness in life.
Allow me to share some insights that might empower you and impact your life and ministry for the Glory of God.
First and foremost we need to be content with “WHO” we are in Christ Jesus. This has many dimensions to it.
Our identity is who we are because of the New Birth experience. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (I John 3:1)
Our behavior reflects our growth in Sanctification. “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” (I Peter 1:15)
It would be great if the two were identical: Our behavior matching who we are!
In reality we are on our journey of growth in Christ Jesus: “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, Who is the Spirit. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (I Corinthians 3:18, Philippians 3:12)
One of the biggest mistakes we make is to equate our identity with our behavior.
Our behavior is in a constant flow, sometimes moving forward and sometimes backwards.
But the spiritual reality is that despite of all this constant flow we are being transformed into the perfect image of our Lord and Savior because of Who we are. “And that is what we are! We shall be like Him.”
Our identity is fixed in heaven, it is unchangeable. It is because of our Lord and Savior who died, shed His blood, arose from the dead and ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for you and me.
Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth and called them saints. Did you know that in the eyes of God you are a saint? Yes, that is amazing: You are a saint!
There is a difference between being a saint and be living a saintly life. One has to do with our identity (which comes from salvation) and the other has to do with our behavior (which it is being changed in the process of Sanctification).
Too often we spend most of our time looking at our behavior and not enough time glazing on our identity. This is no small point of truth to apprehend.
We are God’s workmanship! (Ephesians 2:10) We are lumps of clay in the hands of our Sovereign Father and that, my friend, is something to get excited about.
He is the Potter and we are the clay. Every breath we breathe, every step we take, every decision we make is bringing Glory to God because of who we are and not because of what we do or are gifted for. It is because we are God’s children and not because we are apostles, or prophets, or evangelists, or pastors and/or teachers.
When we are frustrated and don’t know what to do or what direction to take, we must remember we are in His hands. We are His workmanship indeed.
When we feel inadequate, discouraged, or depressed: even thinking God has failed us, let us remember that we “are complete in Him.” (Colossians 2:10)
Please think about these truths even if your flesh and natural minds tell you different. You are a saint (pure, justified and blameless). Not might be some day, but you are!
We are His workmanship! Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, four weeks a month and twelve months a year. Forever!
In you trials and challenges, in your joys and sorrows He has you in His hands and He is molding and fashioning you every day.
When you feel incomplete, and or maybe as a church leader get discouraged in seeing “other churches growing” when yours are standing still, fear not, you are complete in Him and God is at work in your life. It is not the size of your ministry or the work you do for Him that makes God happy about you, it is because of “Who” you are!
I will say it once more, we are His children, we are saints, we are His workmanship, and we are complete in Him. These are our identity! Let us be content in “which” we are. Let us rejoice and be thankful even in the midst of trials, even when things are not going well in our own evaluation.
Because we are, our behavior will come into alignment with our identity. As we understand these truths and get all the contentment that comes with it, our lives will be plenty of joy, our ministries will be more fulfilling and our families will be blessed.
(*) Robert Mac Donald is a "pastor for pastors." He is the founder and director of Trinity Ministries Inc, a ministry to pastors and their families. He specializes in Prevention and Crisis Intervention. Contact Info: Tel 617-471-7360 or email PastorBob5@abbanet.org
(*) Josimar Salum is the Executive Director of Greater Revival Ministries (Advancing the Kingdom, Transforming Society) and BMNET – Brazilian Ministers Network (Manifesting Unity through Relationships). He is also member of CCN – Cornerstone Church Network (http://www.ccnetonline.org/). He trains and equips believers to become leaders in all spheres of society. Contact Info: Tel 774-696-3714 or email jsalum@abbanet.org
