Posted by Steven on January 24, 1999 at 01:52:54:
In Reply to: to you. posted by John McGee on January 23, 1999 at 21:57:52:
: Content?...
: I've been thinking about this lately.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I'm thinking that you mean "content" as in "satisfied, fulfilled, at ease"?
Assuming that is the case, shouldn't we ask: "Are we SUPPOSED to be content?"
The answer would be a very definite "Yes and No".
Paul tells us that godliness with contentment is great gain. If I knew more about godliness I could probably comment further on this... :-O
However, we are not supposed to be satisfied with our PROGRESS in godliness. Paul also tells us that he did not count himself to have apprehended, but he continued to press on toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, counting everything else as lost, that he could win Christ and be found in Him.
So on the one hand, Yes, we should be content in Christ, content in godliness, not seeking our contentment/fulfilment/peace from temporary things any longer.
On the other hand, No, we should never be satisfied with the relationship we have reached in Christ; we should always desire to be closer, and act on that desire.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *