GOODNEWSLETTER
Number 435 October 3, 2012
CONTENTMENT
"...for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content," Philippians 4:1.
Knowing WHO you are and WHAT you are to do is eternally important to everyone who has trusted Christ as our Savior. We of the Landmark faith; a Missionary Baptist position that harmonizes the Scriptures like no other position, get answers and contentment, beautifully. If anyone checks out all the kingdom position, it will be seen that after one is saved by God's grace, he is to serve the LORD. And, Service is in the position that was established by Jesus, if we expect to inherit the coming kingdom (Mt. 28:19-29).
In Matthew 5:8, Jesus preaches on inheriting the KINGDOM through persecution. But, check out all the verses that shows the KINGDOM; it's coming to earth; the tribulation and what it means to those who desire to serve. Paul said, "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in POWER," 1 Corinthians 4:10. Don't tell Paul, show him.
So, just take out that concordance and, you'll not only see the mess Adam got us into, but why God originally put man on earth, in the first place. We see that the creation was to be ruled by man. That's the plan of God. While, Jesus came to fix what Adam did; we know that everyone born of woman continues to do what the first man did. We reject God and, we reject His loving word that He gave to us concerning service and INHERITING THE KINGDOM.
The Jews knew about the Kingdom; but, only as it related to their system of the LAW. Their thought was to inherit the KINGDOM; even, if it meant killing the heir. The parables of Jesus clearly shows that the Jews wanted the KINGDOM (See Mt. 21:38). Today, there are many just as ignorant. But, that's why we have God's Word. Jesus and all the Apostles taught on the subject of the KINGDOM. There are over 250 verses on the kingdom subject in the Bible.
We see Paul commending the church of Miletus in Acts 20, he tells the "elders of the church" (Acts 20:17) about his love for them; that he was even, "teaching from house to house... repentance toward God, and faith toward our LORD Jesus Christ" (V 20, 21). Then, Paul commends them to the word of God's grace; "which is able to build you up, and to give you an INHERITANCE among them which are sanctified" (Acts 2:32).
Certainly, there is more than being saved from the Devil's hell within the pages of the Bible. There's a KINGDOM TO RECEIVE. Further, other points about the KINGDOM shows that we are to join and become a member of the church; like that of Colosse (Colossians). Paul taught them to serve the LORD – not men – "Knowing that of the LORD ye receive the reward of the inheritance" (Col. 3:24).
There are many verses on the KINGDOM, of course. One is to the Corinthians. The church had great trials but, in their joy, it "...abounded unto the riches of their liberality" (2nd Cor. 8:2). Paul goes on to say that their power lie in their willingness. But, it went "...beyond their power" (2nd Cor. 8:3). They prayed that the missionaries would receive a gift that allowed them to "minister to the saints" (2nd Cor. 8:4). After all, supporting churches becomes easy for those who "...first give their own selves to the LORD..." 2nd Corinthians 8:5.
Yes, contentment comes by grace; which, is always supported in the Scriptures. All of us has to learn that grace brings us righteousness. In fact, the position that the Bible states on grace is that it doesn't come by anything we are able to do. Grace is not of works, in any sense. Grace comes by believing. Grace comes by faith. All work that we can do is by faith, only. We may work, but work is tied to verses of the Bible that we study. This is what Paul meant by writing: "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling," Philippians 2:12.
So important is GRACE that we must know: "...if righteousness comes by the LAW, then Christ is dead in vain," Galatians 2:21. Thus, we conclude with the faith chapter of Hebrews 11. "God is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Heb. 11:6).