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Learning Contentment From Jesus
For years we have concentrated on the message of Jesus and well we should. What we have failed to do, however, is to also concentrate on the method Jesus used to deliver His message. If He were here today, would He be ministering within a building or out in the streets, among the people? Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
There are three questions we need to ask ourselves as we consider the implications of this verse. Am I enjoying the abundant life Jesus came to give me? If not, do I want to? If so, am I willing to do what it takes to achieve it? If our answer to the final two questions is “yes” then we are ready to look to Jesus for instruction. Jesus tells us how to enjoy the abundant life when He says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28)
Who are those who labor and are heavy laden? Is Jesus talking about physical labor? Or, is Jesus talking about emotional pain and the cares of this life? Emotional pain is a part of life. We will encounter emotional pain as long as we walk upon the earth. Job tells us, “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.” (Job 14:1) This being true, “How can I enjoy an abundant life if all my days are full of trouble?” The key to the abundant life is given to us by Jesus when He tells us, “Learn from me.” The abundant life will only be enjoyed by those who take the time to Learn from Jesus. The Apostle Paul understood this when he said, “...I have learned in whatever state I am to be content.” (Phil. 4:11)
Contentment is a learned behavior. We learn contentment by learning from Jesus. Paul gives us the key to finding “Every State Contentment” when he says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 2:6) Paul goes on to explain how Jesus, “humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8)
When we look into the mind of Christ we find He used two attitudes and three skills to accomplish His purpose. The two attitudes are humility and a positive outlook on life. The Biblical definition of humility is “Putting other peoples needs ahead of our wants. Did Jesus want to go to the cross? Absolutely Not! Remember His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Oh My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)
Did we need for Him to go to the cross? Absolutely! On the cross of Calvary Jesus put our needs above His wants. Solomon tells us, By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor and life.” (Proverbs 22:4)
A positive outlook on life is essential to achieving “Every State Contentment.” We accomplish this by always looking for and finding the good in any person or situation.” Jesus understood that there is the potential for good in the worst of us. How many of us would have chosen the twelve renegades He chose to carry his Gospel to the world? Remember how when He was criticized for eating and drinking with publicans and sinners he responded by saying, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” (Luke 5:31)
The three skills used by Jesus were accurate thinking, assertiveness and listening. Accurate Thinking means we are guided by our minds, not our emotions. Remember how Jesus dealt with Satan during the temptations in the wilderness? He answered each temptation by saying, “It is written, it is written, it is written.” This is the essence of accurate thinking.
The best definition of assertiveness is “Getting our needs met without offending others.” Or as Jesus put it, “Be wise as serpents but harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) Remember Jesus and woman caught in adultery. Jesus was challenged to enforce the Law of Moses which required stoning. He knew their concern was not enforcing the Law of Moses, but to entrap Him because he taught love and forgiveness. He could of said, “You are a bunch of sinners who have no right to condemn this woman and no real regard for the Law. But that would have played right into their hands as well as being terribly offensive. Instead He said, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” (John 8:7) The accusers left, not offended, but ashamed.
The third skill essential to achieving “Every State Contentment” is the ability to listen. Good listening is more than merely hearing words and sounds. A good listener makes every effort to create good listening conditions and attempts to see issues through the other person’s eyes. The good listener strives to not only hear what is being said, but also the reason it is being said. A good listener always maintains good eye contact and concentrates on what is being said, not how he or she is going to answer. A good listener learns to see aggressive, problem people as emotional pain carriers desperately in need of understanding. In doing so we turn our condemnation into compassion.
Husbands, do we really listen to our wives? Parents, do we really listen to our children? My brothers and sisters, do we really listen to God? Do we really listen to the hurts and cries of those we associate with every day? Jesus listened to the cries of the people and they flocked to Him by the thousands. He heard their cries and addressed their pain, both physical and emotional. As a result He was able to teach them things about the kingdom of God they would have never accepted before. Paul sums up for us the result of having “the mind which was in Christ Jesus” when he says.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
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