THURSDAY January 27, 2022

The Sufficiency of Christ

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.
Philippians 4:11-12

Paul did not have an empty hole in his heart like so many other people who are discontented. Some people are just never satisfied. Contentment is not complacency, nor is it a false peace based on ignorance of one’s knowledge. The complacent believer is unconcerned about others, but the contented believer is always concerned with the welfare of others and shares with them their blessings. That is a big difference.

A discontented person is always trying to figure how to make more money or gain happiness through material possessions. They never feel like they have enough and are such empty persons. Contentment is not an escape from life. It is rather an abiding peace and confidence in the midst of life’s battles. That is why the Apostle Paul, even in prison could say: ...for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content... (Philippians 4:11).

These two words learn and content are vitally important to the Christian walk. The verb to learn means “to learn by experience.” In the life of Paul, spiritual contentment did not come over night. It took years to learn and came after many difficult experiences endured in his life. Only then did he learn how to be content in Christ. Paul’s joy bubbled up from within his heart as he continually depended on Jesus for everything.

The word content means “to be contained.” It is a good description of the man whose recourses come from within him so that he does not need to depend on substitutes from without––but from within. The Greek word for contentment also means “to be self-sufficient,” not for a person to be sufficient in themselves, but self-sufficient in Jesus Christ. He is our all-sufficiency because He lives with us. Do you know Christ’s sufficiency?

The very first step to becoming a follower of Jesus Christ is the humble admission that we need him. Nothing keeps us out of the kingdom of God more surely than our pride and self-sufficiency.
~John R. W. Stott~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!