Contentment – Philippians 4:8
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.
As we have been meditating on Philippians 4:4-8 we have talked about joy, gentleness, about not being anxious, about peace, and now we are going to take a look at Philippians 4:8 and talk about contentment.
Contentment is found by thinking about, or focusing on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. The problem we have is that we are by nature, discontent. It is part of our selfish fallen nature.
Do You Want to Get Well?
One of my favorite questions that Jesus asks is “do you want to get well”?
John 5:6 (NIV)
6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
It would seem that the answer was obvious. Of course he wanted to get well. That is why he had been at pool of Bethesda for so long. Was it his fault that everyone would get to the pool ahead of him? He had no one to help him. Jesus question cuts through all of that. Are you willing to do what you need to do in order to get well? Do you want to get well, or do you just want to get by? Do you want to be whole, (healed) or do you just want what you think you want to feel better? The question has far reaching implications that impact the temporary and the eternal.
What we usually want is whatever it takes for pain free, white picket fence living. But the heart of a disciple will choose to get well over just feeling better.
Longing for New Creation
One of the struggles we deal with is that we know deep down that something is missing. We will often try and fix this longing with temporary things. The problem is that this is not a temporary longing we are experiencing, it is a longing for new creation.
2 Corinthians 5:1-5 (NIV)
1 Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
The longing for new creation cannot be fully satisfied this side of Jesus coming back. We get tastes of eternity now, but we do not get the whole banquet.
The reality we must face and embrace is that we live in a fallen world on a broken planet. Everything is broken here, including us.
Every tragedy, every broken thing, every failure, should just be a reminder that this temporary life will never be perfect, but, in His mercy and grace, He has made a way for us to get back into the relationship we had before the fall. This is not as good as it gets and you don’t need to make it your life’s purpose to try and fix it.
Be Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind
To deal with this, we have to stop thinking the way the world does.
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Don’t be conformed to the pattern of this world (in order to be content, I must have more) but be changed by the renewing of your mind. By right thinking. By keeping our thoughts focused on God, His will and His way.
Steve Lawes is the founder of the Online Bible Institute and Pastor of Keys Vineyard Church.
