OUR CONTENTMENT IN LIFE

"Not that I (Paul) speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11

In being a disciple of Christ, we can learn to be content with our lot in life because God will give us those things which we really need in the life. I am Charles Burke, Minister in Sedona, Arizona. Let me explain the Divine Blessings of our contentment in life so that we can enjoy the Spiritual Blessings of New Testament Christianity.

THE REQUIREMENTS OF OUR CONTENTMENT

I. We must learn to be content with our wages because we can alway want more than we really need. "And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, say, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages." Luke 3:14

II. We must learn to be content with the necessities of life because God will alway give us that which we need. "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." 1 Timothy 6:8

III. We must learn to be content with our lot in life because our lot could be worse than what it is. "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have (your lot in life): for he hath said, I will never leave thee, or forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.: Hebrews 13:5-6

THE ACHIEVEMENT OF OUR CONTENTMENT

I. We can find contentment by coming to Christ. We can have a life which is filled with joy, peace and happiness because Christ can make us free from the guilt and the enslavement of sin. "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto you souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

II. We can achieve contentment by believing the promises of God. The promises of God has been given unto us so that they can help us to overcome the forces of evil. "God has given unto us many exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:4

III. We can develop contentment by being Spiritually minded. If we will develop a Spiritual Mind, we will have a contented life upon the earth. "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Romans 8:6

IV. We can achieve contentment by seeking those Spiritual Things which are above. If we will seek the Spiritual Riches of heaven, we will have a contended life upon the earth. "If ye then be risen with Christ (by the act of baptism), seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set you affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead (to the old life of sin which you once lived), and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4

THE BLESSINGS OF OUR CONTENTMENT

I. Contentment with godliness is a great gain because it help us to faithfully serve the Lord our God. If we can learn to be content with our services to God, that would be the greatest gain which we could achieve in this life. "Godliness with contentment is a great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6

II. Contentment will give us the Spiritual Blessings of Eternal Life in heaven. If we want to receive the Spiritual Blessings of Eternal Life, we must patiently serve the Lord. Therefore, contentment will motivate us to continue in well doing. "To them who (the Christians) by patient, continuance in well doing (with contentment) seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life." Romans 2:7

THE CONCLUSION

I. We can learn to be content with our lot in life because the Lord will give us that which we need. "Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me." Proverbs 30:8

II. If we are content with our lot in life, we will overcome the hardships which we must endure in this life.

THE GLORY OF OUR LIFE #5

If you will evaluate the following knowledge of life, you will perceive the glory of your own divine nature of life because you in being a New Testament Christian possess a created and a redeemed nature of life. For illustrating purposes:

WE MUST KNOW GOD WHO IS OUR CREATOR
AND
WE MUST KNOW GOD WHO IS OUR RULER

The Bible says, "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord (Ruler) of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring (the sons) of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and mans's device." Acts 17:24,29

I. Is the Godhead a Divine Term which is used in the Scriptures to explain the Divine Rule of God in matters of our own creation of life?

A. The Godhead is a Divine Term which is used in the Scriptures to explain the Divine Rule of God in matters of our own creation of life because God is our Creator and God is our Ruler. This means that the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead in matters of our own creation of life because God in being the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit created our own divine nature of life free of sin. This is why God said, "Let us (who are the Persons that are called God) make man in our image, after our likeness. So God created man in his own image" (of life). Paul said concerning the Godhead in reference to our own creation of life, "Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device." John said concerning those three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead in matters of our own creation of life, "For there are three (Persons) that bear record (of our creation) in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit: and these three (Persons) are one" (equal) in power, rule and authority because They equally possess the same Personage, Powers, Nature and Attributes of the one and only God in reference to Their Own Individual Nature of life. Genesis 1:26-27, Acts 17:29, 1 John 5:7

B. Equality signifies that those three Persons who are called God in being the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit are equal in power, rule and authority because They equally possess the same Personage, Powers, Nature and Attributes of the one and only God in matters of Their Own Individual Being of life. *Personage means possessing a Spiritual Body, and an Eternal Soul and Spirit. *Powers signify being Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent. *Nature reveals being eternal, impartial, perfect, spiritual and etc. *Attributes indicate being lovable, righteous, merciful, faithful and etc.

II. Why should we learn that the Godhead is the Divine Rule of three equal Persons who are called the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit in matters of our own creation of life?

Now, we should learn that the Godhead is the Divine Rule of three equal Persons who are called the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit in matters of our own creation of life because we possess the Divine Characteristics of God who is the being of three equal Persons that are called the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit in being our Creator. This makes us to be a god in matters of our own creation of life because we are the offspring of God. Our Lord said, "It is written in your law, I said, Ye (created men) are gods. If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the Scripture cannot be broken." John 10:34-35 Therefore, since we are a god in matters of our own creation of life, this greatly magnifies the whole being of our own created nature of life because in that world which is to come we can become a Family Member of that God-Family who lives in heaven. Paul said concerning the Name of God, "Of whom (God) the whole family in heaven and earth is named." Ephesians 3:15

WE MUST KNOW GOD WHO IS THE HEAD OF CHRIST
AND
WE MUST KNOW CHRIST WHO IS SUBJECTED TO GOD

The Bible says, "The head of Christ is God. For in him (Christ) dwelleth (ruleth) all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye (Christian) are complete in him (Christ), who is the head of all principality and power." 1 Corinthians 11:3, Colossians 1:9-10

I. What does it mean for God to be the head of Christ and Christ to be subjected to God?

Now, God who is the head of Christ and Christ who is subjected to God is the being of a Father-head Figure and an Offspring Status Relationship instead of being two Persons because the Godhead (the Divine Rule of God) was made to dwell (to rule) in Christ so that Christians, who are new creatures in Christ, could be Divinely Ruled in matters of their own redemption of life. This enabled those three God-Persons, who are called the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit in being our Creator, to equally make Themselves to rule in the Godhead bodily of Christ in being called the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit so that They could be our Redeemer. This was achieved because "The Lord (God) said unto my Lord (Christ), sit thou on my right hand, until I make the foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that the Lord God (who was the being of the Father and the Holy Spirit in heaven) hath made that same Jesus (who was the Incarnated Word upon the earth), whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Jesus (who was made both Lord and Christ in being our Redeemer) said concerning those three Persons who equally would be ruling in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own redemption of life, "Go teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:34-36, Matthew 28:18-20 Therefore, God who is the head of Christ and Christ who is subjected to God is the being of a Father-head Figure and an Offspring Status Relationship instead of being two Persons because the Reign of God brought the Reign of Christ into being upon the earth so that sinful man could be redeemed.

II. Why should we learn that God who is the head of Christ and Christ who is subjected to God is the being of a Father-head Figure and an Offspring Status Relationship instead of being two Persons?

Now, we should learn that God who is the head of Christ and Christ who is subjected to God is the being of a Father-head Figure and an Offspring Status Relationship instead of being two Persons because the Godhead and the Godhead bodily of Christ are the two Divine Terms in which three Persons who equally are ruling in matters of our own creation and redemption of life. Therefore, the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are called God in being our Creator; whereas those same three Persons are equally made to work in the Name of Christ in being called the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit so that that They can be our Redeemer. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. For there are three (Persons) that bear record (of our creation) in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit: and these three (Persons) are one" (equal) in power, rule and authority. "Go teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Colossians 3:1, 1 John 5:7, Matthew 28:18-20

WE MUST KNOW CHRIST WHO IS OUR REDEEMER
AND
WE MUST KNOW CHRIST WHO IS OUR RULER

The Bible says, "For in him (Christ) dwelleth (ruleth) all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye (Christian) are complete in him (Christ), who is the head of all principality and power. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creatures: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." Colossians 1:9-10, 2 Corinthians 5:17

I. Is the Godhead bodily of Christ a Divine Term which is used in the Scriptures to explain the Divine Rule of Christ in matters of our own redemption of life?

A. The Godhead bodily of Christ is a Divine Term which is used in the Scriptures to explain the Divine Rule of Christ in matters of our own redemption of life because Christ is our Redeemer and Christ is our Ruler. This means that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own redemption of life because Christ in being the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit redeemed our own divine nature of life free of sin. This is why we in being an alien sinner must be baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins by being baptized in the name (the authority) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit so that we can become a New Testament Christian. Our Lord said concerning those three Persons who equally would be ruling in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own redemption of life, "Go teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Paul said, "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Matthew 28:18-20, Galatians 3:27

B. Equality signifies that those three Persons who are called Christ in being the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are equal in power, rule and authority because They equally possess the same Personage, Powers, Nature and Attributes of the one and only Christ in matters of Their Own Individual Being of life. *Personage means possessing a Spiritual Body, and an Eternal Soul and Spirit. *Powers signify being Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent. *Nature reveals being eternal, impartial, perfect, spiritual and etc. *Attributes indicate being lovable, righteous, merciful, faithful and etc.

II. Why should we learn that the Godhead bodily of Christ is the Divine Rule of three equal Persons who are called the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in matters of our own redemption of life?

Now, we should learn that the Godhead bodily of Christ is the Divine Rule of three equal Persons who are called the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in matters of our own redemption of life because we possess the Divine Characteristics of Christ who is the being of three equal Persons who are called the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in being our Redeemer. This makes us to be a divine person in matters of our own redemption of life because we can become a partaker of the Divine Nature of God in our Heavenly Home. Peter said, "God hath given unto us many exceeding great and precious promises; that by these (promises) ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption (the pollution) that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:4 Therefore, since we are a divine person in matters of our own redemption of life, this highly amplifies the total sum of our own divine nature of life because in that world which is to come we will be called by the Name of God. Our Lord said, "Him that overcometh (the forces of evil) will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name." Revelations 3:12

THE CONCLUSION

I. The Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead in matters of our own creation of life because God in being the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit created our own divine nature of life.

II. God who is the head of Christ and Christ who is subjected to God is the being of a Father-head Figure and an Offspring Status Relationship instead of being two Persons because those three God-Persons, who are called the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit in being our Creator, equally made Themselves to rule in the Godhead bodily of Christ in being called the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit so that They could be our Redeemer.

III. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own redemption of life because Christ in being the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit redeemed our own divine nature of life from the guilt of sin.

IV. The Godhead and the Godhead bodily of Christ are the two Divine Terms in which three Persons who equally are ruling in matters of our own creation and redemption of life because we have been created and redeemed by three equal Persons who are called God and Christ in being our Creator and our Redeemer so that in that world which is to come we can become equal (having power, rule and authority) with Them.

A. We will become equal (having power, rule and authority) with those three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead and in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own creation and redemption of life because in heaven we will possess Their Spiritual Personage of life which will be a Spiritual Body, and an Eternal Soul and Spirit in reference to Our Own Individual Being of life. "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is sown a nature body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. Who (our Lord) shall change our vile body (our fleshly body), that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body (His Spiritual Body), according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. And as we have borne the image of the earthy (the earthy man who possesses a physical body, and an Eternal Soul and Spirit), we shall also bear the image of the heavenly" (the Spiritual Person who has a Spiritual Body, and an Eternal Soul and Spirit). 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 1 Corinthians 15:44, Philippians 3:21,1 Corinthians 15:49

B. We will become equal (having power, rule and authority) with those three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead and in the Godhead bodily of Christ in reference to our own creation and redemption of life because in heaven we will possess Their Divine Powers of life in matters of Our Own Individual Being of life. "If we suffer, we shall also reign (rule) with him (the Lord our God). If we deny him, he also will deny us. To him that overcometh (the forces of evil) will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. And to him will I give power over the nations. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And they shall reign (rule) for ever and ever" (over the powers of Satan). 2 Timothy 2:12, Revelation 3:21, Revelation 2:26-27, Revelation 22:5

C. We will become equal (having power, rule and authority) with those three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead and in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own creation and redemption of life because in heaven we will possess Their Divine Nature of life in reference to Our Own Individual Nature of life. "It is written in your law, I said, Ye (created men) are gods. If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scriptures can not be broken. God has given unto us many exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Him that overcometh (the powers of Satan) will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. Of whom (God) the whole family in heaven and earth is named." John 10:34-35, 2 Peter 1:4, Revelation 3:12, Ephesians 3:15

D. We will become equal (having power, rule and authority) with those three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead and in the Godhead bodily of Christ in reference to our own creation and redemption of life because in heaven we will possess Their Divine Attributes of life in matters of Our Own Individual Being of life. "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Be ye also merciful, as your Father also is merciful. He that overcometh (the powers of sin), the same shall be clothed in white raiment (having his Divine Attributes Perfected): and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angles. For there shall in no wise enter into it (the Heavenly City) any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." Matthew 5:48, Luke 6:36, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 21:27

E. We will become equal (having power, rule and authority) with those three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead and in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own creation and redemption of life because in heaven we will possess Their Immortality of life in reference to Our Own Individual Nature of life. "Which in his times he shall shew who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords: Who only hath immortality (the Lord in all of His Power and Glory only has immortality, but the Lord has promised to give unto us those same Spiritual Blessings of Immortality), dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. To them (the Christians) who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life." 1 Timothy 6:15-16, Romans 2:7

THE APPLICATION

I. We can't Scripturally make a centralized head (a ranked hierarchy) to rule in the New Testament Church because we are all equal in matters of our own creation and redemption of life. This is why the clergy and the laity class of people can not Scripturally exist in the New Testament Church because no one redeemed person can Scripturally rule a congregation of the Lord's Church. Therefore, we should not call any redeemed person: Reverend or Father because those are Divine Titles which belong unto the Lord our God (not redeemed man). "Holy and reverend is his name. Call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." Psalms 111:9, Matthew 23:9

II. We can't Scripturally make any created person to be any greater than we are in a created way, nor can we Scripturally make any created person to be any less than we are in a created way because we are equal in matters of our own creation of life. This is why no one race of people is any greater than another race of people because we are all equal in reference to our own creation of life. Therefore, we should not respect any one person above another person because God is no respecter of persons. "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. If ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors, For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilt of all." Acts 10:34-35, James 2:9-10

III. We can't Scripturally make any redeemed person to be any greater than we are in a redeemed way, nor can we Scripturally make any redeemed person to be any less than we are in a redeemed way because we are all equal in matters of our own redemption of life. This means that no one priest, elder, or bishop has any more power, rule and authority than another priest, elder or bishop because no one redeemed man can Scripturally rule a congregation of the Lord's Church. Each congregation of the New Testament Church is autonomous (self-ruled) because of the equality of our own creation and redemption of life. Therefore, Christ (not a redeemed man) is the head of the Church. "Christ is the head (the ruler) of the church; and he is saviour of the body: the Church." Ephesians 5:23

PLEASE E MAIL ME YOUR RESPONSE TO THESE ARTICLES.

May the Lord continue to bless you and your loved ones.

Charles Burke


© Copyright 2000 by Charles Burke. You May Copy And Use Any Of The Above Articles Any Way That You Wish.

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