To Encourage You

Philippians 4:11 “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”

2 Corinthians 5:2 “For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling.”

Sometimes the Bible says things that seem to conflict, such as the two verses above that were both written by the apostle Paul.  The first tells us of Paul’s contentment no matter the circumstances he faced in life.  Indeed, these words were written from a Roman prison, yet Paul was perfectly content and at peace. But in the second passage from 2 Corinthians 5, Paul talks about his “groanings” while he lived in this “tent,” i.e., his physical body.  Isn’t this saying two things that are the exact opposite?  Isn’t Paul speaking out of both sides of his mouth?  But then I read the following words from Charles Spurgeon, known as “the Prince of Preachers,” during the time of his ministry in England in the 19^th century: “The Christian is the most contented man in the world, but he is the least contented with the world.”  And that’s the perfect explanation for this conundrum. 

You see, the believer should be the most contented person in the world.  It’s a contentment that is not rooted in his or her circumstances. Because a believer trusts in God and His promises, He knows that God is always near, no matter what. God is just as close to the Christians suffering in the prisons of North Korea as He is to those of us living in freedom in the USA. The God Who rules over heaven and earth has a purpose in His sovereign work in every believer’s life.  The blessings of God have a purpose – one of which is to share those blessings with others. Likewise, the sufferings of the believer have a purpose – such as to strengthen his or her faith and to prepare them for service in ways that would otherwise not be possible.  In all of it, the Lord is our Shepherd, and He is a good Shepherd, Who has given His life for His sheep.  It’s in that relationship of trust in their Shepherd that the believer finds contentment, whether he or she is in the green pastures, beside the still waters, or in the valley of the shadow of death. 

Nevertheless, the believer is not content with the world, for this world is not his or her home.  It’s a temporary dwelling place, a place we live as ambassadors, representatives of the King of kings from the kingdom which is to come. That’s why Paul could say elsewhere, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).  As Paul walked by faith and not by sight, he could see the work of the invisible God in his life, no matter his circumstances, and at the same time “he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10).  We should view this world like righteous Lot, who lived for a time in the wicked city of Sodom.  We are told that while he was there, “he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard” (2 Peter 2:8). 

So, does this describe you? Are you one of the most contented people in the world, but one of the least contented people with the world?  If you are, it’s only because you know Christ, Who has told us, “I have said these things to you, that in me (and not in your circumstances) you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). 

May God give us the holy contentment in the world and the holy discontentment with the world that belongs to those who know Him.