“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13
The power for contentment doesn’t come from others or even from things; it comes from Christ who empowers us. The apostle Paul describes his ability to be content, and it came from his dependence on God’s grace. So in times of need or in times of plenty he depended on God. As a result he could be content in either way, and everywhere in between.
This ability came from his committed life. It is the same for us, a committed life to Christ: it is that simple. And at the same time, it is that complicated.
All that needs to be done is accomplished by Christ-given strength. The Lord is responsible for the success of the Christian. In Christ there is strength to fulfill duty, power to resist temptation, vigor to endure affliction, patience to suffer without complaint. In Him there is grace for daily growth, courage for multiplied battles, energy for devoted service and the power to be content.
All of this comes from contentment and trusting God’s grace. This is what it is to be content: True contentment comes from living life understanding that everything pales in comparison to knowing Christ.
The power for contentment doesn’t come from others or even from things; it comes from Christ who empowers us. The apostle Paul describes his ability to be content, and it came from his dependence on God’s grace. So in times of need or in times of plenty he depended on God. As a result he could be content in either way, and everywhere in between.
This ability came from his committed life. It is the same for us, a committed life to Christ: it is that simple. And at the same time, it is that complicated.
All that needs to be done is accomplished by Christ-given strength. The Lord is responsible for the success of the Christian. In Christ there is strength to fulfill duty, power to resist temptation, vigor to endure affliction, patience to suffer without complaint. In Him there is grace for daily growth, courage for multiplied battles, energy for devoted service and the power to be content.
All of this comes from contentment and trusting God’s grace. This is what it is to be content: True contentment comes from living life understanding that everything pales in comparison to knowing Christ.
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