The great malady that affects so many people today is a lack of real contentment. Now, contentment is the quiet acceptance of unchangeable circumstances and conditions of life that we receive naturally and a willingness to change [i.e. use our free-moral-agency] those conditions and circumstance that are themselves under our power to change.
The lack of contentment therefore in many cases is caused by our own unwillingness to change that which we are capable of changing. There are many people who could make their lives better by increasing their degree of contentment with life changes and modifications that will not do so. To these people we urgently suggest that they examine the reasons for their unhappiness and discontent and come to a radically new decision – put forth an all out effort to change the situations that are causing you discontent. The individual who suffers from unhappiness and lacks contentment may be able to become contented with their life through a change in relationship with their Creator [i.e. God].
The concept that a change in man’s relationship with God will give them a sense of contentment is grounded, not only in common sense but also in the teachings if the Bible [i.e. God’s instructions to mankind]. Please observe the following Biblical information in this regard:
1. GOD KNOWS WHAT MAN IS AND WHAT HE NEEDS:
God is the Creator, not only of mankind but of man’s environment – Genesis 1:1-3, “1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 And the earth was waste and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the water.
God created man, Genesis Gen 2:21-24, “21 And Jehovah God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof: 22 and the rib, which Jehovah God had taken from the man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And the man said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” ASV
2. GOD PROVIDED EVERYTHING FOR MAN SO THAT MAN MIGHT BE CONTENT:
Even though God made man perfect, man was given the ability to choose between good and evil. This human quality was given to man so that man might voluntarily choose to obey God, thus glorifying him. Man has always possessed the ability to choose to serve God or to reject God, this quality is necessary for man’s very survival. Someone may say, “Why, then did God make us so that we could commit sin?” Thisis a good question but simple to answer from God’s perspective, if God had created man to automatically [i.e. robot fashion] to obey him, what glory would that have been? If man had been made like a robot his responses to God’s instruction would have been automatic – Since God made man with “free-will”, man has the ability to individually submit self to the instruction of God thereby glorifying God – cf. 1 Peter 4:11, “if any man speaketh, (speaking) as it were oracles of God; if any man ministereth, (ministering) as of the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen. “ASV
Indeed, God has provided everythingman needs to survive this world and eventually go to heaven if man chooses correctly with his innate ability. Please observe the following Biblical references: 2 Peter 1:3-4, “3 seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue; 4 whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.” ASV
3. MAN IS UNABLE OF HIMSELF TO FORMULATE A PROCESS THAT WILL SAVE HIM FROM HIS SINS:
Now, sin is a transgression of Divine Law – Sin is a failure to comply with Divine instruction – sin is a missing of the mark [i.e. pattern] set by God, etc. Man may know what God’s instructions for his well being are by seeking His guidance via the Written Word of instruction [i.e. the Bible]. Jeremiah 10:23, “O Jehovah, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” ASV Since man cannot know without God telling him, man must go to God’s Book and seek knowledge and wisdom about surviving happily this life [i.e. physical death].
Many people today are wandering from place to place, from relationship to relationship, from church to church, seeking peace and security. Only God is able to give this to us, we must seek wisdom from above [i.e. from God’s Book] so that we might gain that which we so need in our life here, contentment” [i.e. peace]. Notice carefully the wording of the following passage from the Bible; Philippians 4:7-9, “7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” ASV
4. EVERYONE WILL EVENTUALLY DIE OR BE CHANGED FROM MORTAL TO IMMORTAL:
That this statement is true cannot be denied by the student of the Bible, for the following passages say that death is sure; 1 Corinthians 15:50-57, “50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed , 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law: 57 but thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ASV
5. WE WANT TO BE CAREFUL THAT NO ONE DECEIVES US, LEADING US INTO A FALSE WAY.
The powers of evil will go to great lengths to turn the honest and honorable seeker of truth to a false doctrinal concept and cause one to follow error instead of follow the truth ––
Matthew 24:23-24, “23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ, or, Here; believe (it) not.24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” ASV
Mark 13:22, “22 for there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, the elect.” ASV
CONSIDER THIS: With seriousness the person seeking heaven must be careful about dealing with those that would teach them about righteousness. Many are misguided and are spiritually blinded, for this reason one must seek truth that comes from God’s Written Word properly interpreted. One ought to seek out a good, word for word translation of the Holy Scriptures so that they will know what the Bible teaches and not what some person thinks it teaches.
Matt 15:12-14, “12 Then came the disciples, and said unto him, Knows thou that the Pharisees were offended, when they heard this saying? 13 but he answered and said, every plant which my heavenly Father planted not, shall be rooted up. 14 Let them alone: they are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both shall fall into a pit.” ASV
Honest truth seekers, be careful to check your sources – John 8:32, “and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Indeed, all men seek contentment, [i.e. peace].