But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Summary: Paul’s statement about godliness is challenging because it forces us to think about what godliness means.
What is the most important thing in life?
Be careful! This is a trick question!!
When we use the word “life,” it helps to remember that we live two lives at once. Remember this from Paul’s famous letter to the church at Rome?
“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” (Romans 7:15)
What Paul is describing is the struggle between the two lives he is living. One life is tied up in the world of the flesh; the other is a resident of the spiritual realm. Our spirit, with the help of the Holy Spirit, wants to do what is right. Our flesh, on the other hand, wants to please itself.
When we ask the question, “What is the most important thing in life?,” the first thing we need to think about is which “life” we are talking about. Are we thinking in terms of the flesh, the body that gets old and dies, or are we thinking in terms of our eternal spirit?
When it comes to our eternal spirit, the most important thing in life is Jesus. Period.
There is nothing we need more and nothing that comes even close in importance. Jesus is everything.
Godliness is all about being Jesus-like. Jesus always puts the will of his Father first.
Remember when he was called out into the wilderness just after he was baptized? (Matthew 4:1-11)
In that story, Jesus is “led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew 4:1). But it wasn’t like, “Okay, Satan, let’s get this over with.” Instead, it was God’s will that Jesus sit there and wait for forty days and nights without food before he was tempted.
Godliness is not about feeding the flesh, about our comfort, or about pleasing ourselves. Godliness is all about God. And you know what? If we can please God, even just a little bit, there is contentment and great gain in that.
Application: Always keep our eyes on Jesus!
Food for Thought: How does making Jesus our number one priority affect our “other life” in the flesh?
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How does making Jesus our number one priority affect our “other life” in the flesh?
“Put God first and you will never be last.”
The Bible tells us how Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to His word while her sister, Martha was busy in the kitchen. Jesus said to her, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. Luke 10:38-42,
Matthew 6:33, But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Proverbs 3:6, In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts.
As we focus on allowing Jesus Christ in us, to serve others, our life in these bodies becomes consistently more simple, uncluttered, and other centered rather than self centered.
Amen, Ron!
I like your “God first” saying too!
If Jesus is the first priority, all other priorities will now in submission. Our interests, words and actions will align to God’s will and be reflected in Christ like character.
Matthew 6: 33: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Romans 12: 1 – 2: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
*bow in submission… not now in submission
Thanks Rich!
Living in submission to Christ works!