Introduction Everyone has concerns, and these concerns derive from what we consider important. Sometimes Christians can be bogged down with concerns that are unnecessary, they result from loving the things of the world. 1 John 2:15-17 explicitly warns against loving the things of this world due to their passing nature. Instead, we ought to give our attention to the things of God, things that are eternal. Little, insignificant things become big things for those who have nothing significant to think about. Becoming a Christian introduces someone to spiritual matters that put everything else in life into perspective, and this perspective enables self-control in this life. But to keep one’s mind focused on spiritual matters is not easy, and it requires the work of God. The things of God have no relevance for a non-Christian because the Holy Spirit has not granted the new heart and mind that is required to appreciate spiritual realities. One of the clearest, strongest pieces of evidence someone has truly become a Christian is their joyful reception of the Word of God. The Holy Spirit’s ministry is to glorify Christ and magnify His word; no one can claim to be spiritual while having no concern for the spiritual matters addressed in Scripture. Said differently, seeing what the Bible reveals as important is indicative of being born again, and shrugging off the Bible’s message proves spiritual deadness. "10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Paul exemplifies an individual who has been freed from many of the concerns of this life because he has been conquered by something far more significant: zeal for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God. This cause afforded Paul contentment despite his difficult circumstances. We see that Christian contentment comes from really knowing Christ because it brings eternal perspective. So there are three things we should consider from Philippians: contentment, knowing Christ, and an eternal perspective.
Contentment First, we see Paul’s contentment. In v11 Paul states, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” What is the “contentment” Paul claims to possess? It is clear from his writing that this “contentment” is a joyful confidence and satisfaction in God’s control over the details of his life. Paul is confident that God has given him the things that he needs, and anything that Paul does not have he must not need to accomplish the tasks God has assigned to him. This is not a casual, flippant statement from the apostle. Paul was writing from prison, and it is very clear to everyone that gospel ministry is what landed him there (Phil 1:12). However, despite the suffering he endured, Paul was still able to praise his Lord because God’s hand was visible in the specific details of his suffering to advance the gospel (Phil 1:12-14). One of the miraculous works produced by God was that other Christians were becoming bolder in their witness. This is a strange thing; the Christians, who clearly understood the gospel is what put Paul in prison, were becoming bolder to share the gospel “without fear” (Phil 1:14). One would think the opposite would be true. So why this surprising result? Because though Paul was imprisoned for preaching, God was accomplishing great things through this supposed “setback”. The Christians correctly deduced that if God can work even in the midst of suffering and imprisonment, then there was no reason not to trust God and follow Him. Confidence in the sovereignty of God granted this contentment, praise, and boldness. Knowing Christ Second, we see that Paul’s contentment came from knowing Christ. In v12 Paul asserts “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.” He is not merely claiming to know what it is like to experience the highs and lows of life--there would be nothing noteworthy about that. Instead, he says he knows how to “do” either of these things. Paul understands how to wield either of these scenarios for some other purpose. His mission cannot be thwarted by any circumstances he might face. So what is the mission or purpose that he is able to achieve regardless of having abundance or need? In chapter 3 Paul relates how he came to the point of meeting Jesus and determining he had to know Christ and the power of the resurrection at all costs (Phil 3:7-10). Paul’s life mission and purpose was to know Christ. Sometimes the way for that to happen requires suffering, and sometimes it requires enjoying prosperity. Paul came to realize that following Jesus could be a “no-lose” situation because nothing in this life could ever keep him from knowing Christ if he sought Him by faith. This means that life is not merely to be endured; it is the designated arena in which God has provided for the Christian to come to know Christ better. Walking with Christ and knowing His power equipped Paul to take sweet and bitter circumstances alike as an opportunity to deepen his knowledge and love for God through Christ. Eternal Perspective And finally, knowing Christ in such a real way bestowed an eternal perspective in Paul’s mind. In v13 Paul boldly proclaims, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” But what does this mean? What are the “all things” he is able to do? “All” almost never means all without exception; it means all without distinction. When I refer to a game last Friday night and say “Everyone was there,” no one understands that to mean every human being alive was present. Instead, it is a way of saying all kinds of people (and lots of them) were there. Similarly, Paul is saying that he can do “all kinds of things” through God’s strength. In the context of the earlier sections of the book, Paul is saying that he can “do” the full range of human experience (be brought low or abound) and still know Christ in such a way as to be content. God enables Christians to have joyful contentment in Christ regardless of the situation. He frees our joy from being dependent on circumstances by attaching it to confidence in Christ to work all things together for ultimate good (Rom 8:28). In fact, our confidence in Christ (which comes from knowing Him by experience) allows us to see all circumstances from a different perspective. There are many things in life that are seen as good by one person and bad by another, depending on their perspective. If you walk through a hospital or nursing home, it can help you realize that things that might matter at work or school really are not as important as previously believed. Going on mission trips and seeing the life circumstances of other parts of the world can help you reevaluate your own situation in life. For the one who really knows Christ, they realize they are in a “no-lose” situation and are uniquely able to give praise in all circumstances. Final Thoughts When we consider what kind of person is able to sincerely claim, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content,” it is clear that only a truly born-again individual is able. We need to be transformed by the Holy Spirit to joyfully embrace the Word of God and allow it to give us a different perspective. The only kind of person who has the right to claim, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me,” is the Christian who has resolved to know Christ at all costs. If we find ourselves, or those we know, distracted by “lesser” things, the best thing to do is draw attention to the greater, spiritual matters contained in Scripture. In so doing, the “lesser” things will be put into perspective and lose their controlling power. Also, it is a good reminder that a very appropriate prayer for ourselves and others would be that God would grant us a hunger for His Word and an eternal perspective that would be evidenced by our contentment in all circumstances.
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AuthorI am follower of Jesus Christ by God's grace, married to Kelsey, father to four children, and pastor of Lighthouse Church (EPC). Archives
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