Content(ment) – Part II
Question: What is “contentment” for a
Christian?
Question: How is forgiveness related to contentment?
Per dictionary.com the term “content(ment)” is:
-
“the state of being contented;
satisfaction; ease of mind.”
-
“happiness with one's situation in life.”
A Mohandas Gandhi quote on “contentment” per
brainyquote.com:
“Man falls
from the pursuit of the ideal of plan living and high thinking the moment he
wants to
multiply his daily wants. Man's happiness really lies in contentment.”
Mohandas Gandhi
The following is per Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary on “contentment”:
“a state of mind in which one's desires
are confined to his lot whatever it may be
(1 Tim. 6:6; 2 Cor. 9:8). It is opposed to envy
(James 3:16), avarice (Heb. 13:5),
ambition (Prov. 13:10), anxiety (Matt. 6:25, 34), and
repining (1 Cor. 10:10). It arises
from the inward disposition, and is the offspring of humility, and of an
intelligent
consideration of the rectitude and benignity of divine providence (Ps. 96:1, 2;
145), the
greatness of the divine promises (2 Pet. 1:4), and our own unworthiness (Gen.
32:10); as
well as from the view the gospel opens up to us of rest and peace hereafter
(Rom. 5:2).”
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Now let’s look at Scripture referenced in
James 3:16
(NIV):
15 Such
"wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual,
of the devil.
16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there
you find disorder and
every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all
pure; then peace-loving,
considerate, submissive, full of mercy
and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Heb. 13:5
(NIV):
4 Marriage should be honored by all,
and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge
the adulterer and all the sexually
immoral.
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be
content with what you have,
because God has
said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
6 So we say with confidence,
"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?"
1 Cor. 10:10 (NIV):
9 We should not test the Lord, as
some of them did—and were killed by snakes.
10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were
killed by the destroying angel.
11 These things happened to them as examples and were
written down as warnings for
us, on whom the fulfillment of the
ages has come.
2 Pet. 1:4
(NIV): Making One's Calling and Election Sure
3 His divine power has given us
everything we need for life and godliness through our
knowledge of him who called us by his
own glory and goodness.
4 Through these he has given us his very great and
precious promises, so that through
them you may participate in the
divine nature and escape the corruption in the
world caused by evil desires.
5 For this very reason, make
every effort to add to your faith goodness; and
to goodness, knowledge;
Rom. 5:2 (NIV): Peace and Joy
1 Therefore, since we have been
justified through faith, we have peace with God through
our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this
grace in which we now stand.
And we rejoice in the hope of the
glory of God.
3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering
produces perseverance;
Questions:
Question: What is “contentment” for a
Christian?
Question: How is forgiveness related to contentment?
References:
The following websites were referenced on July 20, 2007:
http://www.biblegateway.com http://www.dictionary.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contentment
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/mohandasga160874.html