“Godliness is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment” (1 Timothy 6:6). Godliness and contentment working in tandem with one another in whatever circumstances is great gain to the grace with which we have been called and to the apostolic impact that we will have in the nations.
Indeed, the Word of the Lord might not have grown as mightily as it had in the days of Acts without the godly and contented life of Apostle Paul, albeit in lack and much sufferings, while fulfilling the grace of God upon his life.
Philippians 4:11-13
Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Much of our “faith” and thinking today is influenced, directly or indirectly, by hyper-grace, prosperity, and “name it and claim it” gospels. As a result, sufferings and lack have become anathema and a curse to what “true faith” is represented to us.
Yet, such gospels fly in the face of the gospel according to Apostle Paul.
Paul would not have learned to be content in whatever circumstances that he was if he had “believed right” according to today’s gospels. He would have “named and claimed” abundant blessings in prayer; he would have “rested” from all his works to live a life “under grace”; he would have questioned his faith because he was told that lack and pain were not from God, whether directly or indirectly; and he would have questioned the God of love for the thorn in his flesh which God refused to remove.
Being contented in whatever circumstances is a willingness to accept our circumstances, both positive and negative, as part of what true faith finds rest and joy in while fulfilling its demands; and there is absolutely nothing lacking in our faith or grace if these circumstances are part of God’s will in our journey in life.
2 Corinthians 11:23-28
Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.
2 Corinthians 1:8
For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;
Indeed, the cup of sufferings did not pass from Paul, just like it did not pass from Jesus. While Paul suffered excessively and “despaired even of life”, Jesus suffered a painful death; yet both suffered according to the will of God in the course of serving God the Father.
Of course, we should certainly ask God to remove the thorn in the flesh that may be given to us by a messenger of Satan to torment us (c.f. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10), but if God says, “No, as My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness,” then we should stop praying it away as though we are missing out on God’s will or His blessings of grace, and be content in whatever circumstances that we are.
1 Peter 4:12-13
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.
Surely, fiery ordeals, shakings, and sufferings will come upon us in the last days for our testing, but let us remain godly and contented, with much rejoicing and exultation, like Paul according to his gospel.
So, whose gospel do we believe, and what is the gospel by which we live and move and exist?
As servants of Christ, are we ready to share in the sufferings of Christ like Paul, especially in the last days?
Christ suffered for us, so that we can rejoice in sharing the sufferings of Christ on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking of Christ’s afflictions.
c.f. Colossians 1:24
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