A SPECIAL WORD IN OBSERVATION BUT CONTENT IN JESUS CHRIST

A special word in observation but content in Jesus Christ

 

The Lord placed something on my heart but what I'm about to say does not necessarily have a whole lot to do with the text. He wanted me to share something I was seeing in other people. Jesus Christ died for our sins. The more we realize this the Holy Spirit works through our spirit by experience and as a result people see the evidence of the resurrected Son of God working in our hearts. This is a witness for them to come to know the Lord.

 

It is very interesting to me because the one thing in general I see in the average person I talk to or pass by is they never allowed the Lamb of God to take care of their sin issue inside of them. It is usually substituted with some earthy issue or postponed because of the cares of this world and deep down I really believe they feel the matter will go away. Somehow they convinced themselves that not being forgiven of their sins by God through His Son Jesus Christ will not make a difference for them. After all they are trying to meet a deadline on earth so what does my eternity have to do with anything?

 

I am still surprised at how one dimensional people see their relationship with God and their eternal destiny. In laymen's terms they just don't care but I can not deny they are pretty decent people. This still does not abnegate their responsibility and accountably before God because the sin condition lies dormant in their spirit. I don't know if these nice people understand this or not but they are suppressing the truth that God has already built into them.

 

If this describes you please think about what I just said because most people just walk past the good year blimp without even looking at it (I am using that as an analogy to speak in spiritual terms) because they are so tunnel vision on what they have to do in life. Remember all of this is corruptible but our eternity will last forever. 

 

(10) "But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. (11) Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. (12) I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (14) Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. (14) Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. (15) Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Mesedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. (16) For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. (17) Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account." Philippians 4:10-17.

 

Paul took some time to thank them for their kindness toward him. He had a grateful spirit but did you ever notice how slim kindness is in this world? I can barely find it in my surroundings. This was the one church that did all the extras in comparison to the other Christians and some were really good and kind but this body of believers excelled as excellent. This is the spirit of kindness because it goes the extra mile. For example this church was kind to Paul in his presence, outside of his presence and when he departed on other missions they sent him supplies. Most people say, "O.K I gave, I did my part" but this church kept giving all the time out of the generosity in their hearts. In verse ten they wanted to give but they could not so Paul acknowledges that by telling them they lacked opportunity.

 

There is a spirit behind kindness because it just desires to give for the welfare of the other person. If we feel our lack in this area at least the subject is on the table. We can think about this and learn by their example. In verse fourteen they were not only concerned for needs but they took it one step deeper and did something about the situation. 

 

Paul was content with the little he had and was satisfied with this but had to depend on God every moment. Do we rely on Jesus Christ all the time? Paul was at peace even with hardships and sufferings. If you will read this passage very close God gives us a special act of grace in all situations for our life. This statement is very unlike what we hear from a pulpit because a conditional message is often conveyed to the congregation. Abased or abound but not proud and secure in Jesus Christ. Being abased or abounding (one is not better than the other) it is just where God has placed us in our circumstances. 

 

Now we get to one of the most popular verses in the Bible. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Look at how beautiful this whole thing ties together because we need His strength to teach us to be content in every situation (abased or abounding). Paul was not bragging that he could do this because he gave all the praise to Jesus Christ. The real question is can we give glory to God in all things no matter what happens to us in our life? God gives us renewed strength so we are able to respond in everything His way with His purpose.

 

Paul was in such a good place in life even though he was in prison chained to a Roman guard because when this church gave to him he was just so happy for them. He did not desire a gift but he actually welcomed their kindness because it was added to their account of serving the Lord with the right reason of goodness in their heart. It was once asked, "How much is enough" and answered, "It is never enough." If a person desires more than enough he or she has a covetous heart.

 

As you can see we serve a mighty God through His Son Jesus Christ who meets our needs and desires as long as we are trusting in Him. I started out in this article explaining to internet readers what I see in the average person I observe or communicate with and it is very sad. People just seem very comfortable in their sins and trust me when I say this the Son of the Living God is so low on their pecking order that worldly things choke the truths of God in their life.

 

When I try and talk about Jesus Christ the conversation almost always gets squashed. If you tried to be friends with someone and that person kept saying I am not interested then don't you think eventually leaving his or her presence is the only viable option? How do you think Jesus Christ feels when a person keeps ignoring Him in a blunt or settle way? He is eventually going to honor the will of that individual. He or she may get what they want but they may not want what they get and that would be eternal separation from heaven only to go to the other place. 

 

It would be so special to me to extend an invitation to you to accept Jesus Christ as your very own Savior and Lord by sincerely repenting of all your sins and inviting the Son of God to come into your life. This does not just mean that you accepted Jesus Christ into your heart but you are making a decision to live for Him.

 

Do not be like the average person that chooses to put God so low on their priority order that of course the sports game has to come first. This is sad because their thoughts are earthy rather than spiritual and if they live this as a lifestyle they do not have true salvation in Jesus Christ. You read this article and heard me pour my heart out to you but the decision is in your hands. I hope you made the right choice of true salvation in Jesus Christ and then dedicating your life to Him.

 

God Bless you,

Bob D.