In recent weeks I have been blogging about three profoundly significant theological terms that Paul uses in his letter to the Romans. Those words are justification, redemption, and propitiation. I believe Paul’s application of those words is a major part of his experience of finding contentment in his walk with the Lord. Today I’d us to consider Paul’s secret to contentment that is clearly stated in Phil.4:13 when he shares, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me”(NASB). Paul’s ultimate secret to contentment was found in his profound trust and confidence in Jesus Christ. This verse (which is sometimes quoted out of context) is really referring to Paul’s contentment in the face of whatever circumstances he was dealing with in his life. This verse is not teaching us that we could defy gravity and fly without an airplane. Paul was content on surviving on little or surviving on much, because that he knew that Jesus Christ was with him. Paul could face every financial situation and physical difficulty and still maintain a positive and victorious attitude towards unpleasant circumstances because he saw those circumstances as from the hand of God. The three theological terms that we considered over the last few weeks help undergird Paul and gives him a great sense of God’s presence with him no matter where he was or the circumstances that he faced. Because Paul was redeemed, he knew that he was justified in God’s eyes and that his past sins had been propitiated (covered) by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul made it crystal clear that he was not depending on himself to figure out the best course of action or the best way to get ahead. Paul very clearly found the source of his contentment to be in his relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Because Paul saw the Lord Jesus Christ as the source of his contentment, he was not a victim of his circumstances, but rather a victor over his circumstance. Many times great men- politicians, presidents, and kings love to boast about themselves, but Paul’s boasting was purely about the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul found Jesus to be the source of strength to sustain him in his greatest difficulties and to empower him to continue to live a victorious Christian life.
Paul was very much a thermostat and not like the temperature. Paul set the spiritual temperature, instead of having spiritual ups and downs as his circumstances changed. Paul continued steadily serving the Lord and surrendering his life to Jesus on a daily basis as he viewed everything as an opportunity to represent Christ. This was certainly true in his ministry in Philippi in Acts 16, then years later when he wrote this epistle from a Roman prison. This is a great example for us to follow in the midst of the mounting difficulties of our present world. Many people are dealing with difficult circumstances right now, so it is very important for us to find our contentment in the Lord Jesus Christ. This verse, Philippians 4:13, is one of my life verses. I claimed this verse as I walked through the last two years of my educational experience at Philadelphia Biblical University. God showed up in a big way to help me excel academically, more than anything I could have ever imagined. When we truly turn our lives over to Jesus Christ, He can do way more than anything we can imagine or think. I hope that you will find your contentment in a living relationship with Jesus Christ, and He will help you deal with whatever circumstances or situations you may find yourself in today. All praise be to our great Savior who leads us in the way He sees fit.
All for God’s glory,
Pastor Rich Sivo
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