Notes of Faith April 26, 2024
Amir Tsarfati
Though we were dead in our trespasses and our sins, He resurrected us while we’re still alive. This is not the resurrection from the dead that will happen in the future. So, if the Bible says, “If then you were raised with Christ….” In other words, if you are a true believer, then what? “Seek those things which are above, where Christ is.” Where is Christ right now? He’s at the right hand of the Father right now. And it says so: “Sitting at the right hand of God.” And then he says, “Set your mind on the things above…” and what? “Not on the things on this earth.” In other words, a true believer is someone who is not always thinking about the things on earth, but he’s someone who is rapture-ready, as we just said. Someone who is geared up for something that is way higher, much better, the greatest calling of all, the greatest future of all. This is all temporary here. This is all, I mean literally, it’s all plastic. It’s not real. This thing that we are going through right now is going to be such a dot in eternity. And we have to seek those things which are above.
While it is true that we all as believers have our individual struggles and battles against our flesh, it is also true that some battles are more common among us than others. Seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness would be one of them. The struggles of life are always trying to climb into first place in our minds and emotions. We want to seek first the Kingdom, but don’t always do so.
One of the greatest battles against our flesh common among believers is contentment.
1 Timothy 6:6-8
Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
The Greek word translated as “contentment” means “a perfect condition of life in which no aid or support is needed.” We can better understand this type of contentment by considering what Paul wrote to the Philippians:
Philippians 4:11-13
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.
This tells us that the contentment the Bible speaks of is more about attitude than actuality. That means, contrary to what the word/faith movement teaches, contentment is not dependent upon bounty and, thus, it is not God’s will that every Christian be wealthy through faith. If it were God’s will that we all be wealthy by faith, then why would the Spirit inspire Paul to tell us to be content with the things that we have? Or why would Paul, a great man of faith, know what it is like to be abased, hungry, and suffer need?
Our society spends billions to convince us that we can’t be content without their products, cars, or clothes, and that having the things of this world is the key to contentment. The Bible says the opposite. Contentment doesn’t come through things, but rather through godliness.
Psalm 37:25
I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread.
Isaiah 55:1-2
“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.”
King David and the prophet Isaiah remind us that the Lord is faithful to us, and while we may not always have what we want or all the desires of our flesh, in Him will have all that we need and we can delight in our souls in the abundant blessings of knowing the Lord.
The Bible reiterates for us that life is a vapor and like the grass of the field and like the flower that fades, and all those comparisons are to remind us that we are here for a very short time in contrast to eternity. So why allow tough times to steal our contentment and joy? Our future is bright and glorious and we will dwell in a city whose builder and maker is God!
When life tries to get you down or circumstances are bleak and discouraging, read through Revelation 21:9-22:5 and remember your future home. It is a city of pure gold, with gates of single pearls and walls of precious stones, which will remind you that what people struggle and strain to obtain in hopes of being content in life, are common construction materials in the New Jerusalem where you will live forever.
Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus,
We do not know the day nor the hour that we will be with Jesus, but we do know that there is a time coming when we will be with Jesus for the rest of eternity, redeemed, released from this earthly body and given a heavenly one, just as the resurrected Christ! Let us rejoice even in the darkest days on earth as we look forward to the joy of eternal life with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Pastor Dale