Hey everyone
It is time for my second post on my new blog. I am still trying to figure a lot of this out, as I am clearly not as smooth with the technology as Ross. Any way, I hope you enjoy it.
I found this interesting. In II Timothy 1:10, Paul says that Jesus destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light. Pretty cool. What this is telling me is that Jesus reveals immortality, or eternal life, but also reveals a "life" to us that is not eternal life, but this life. In other words, Jesus shows us how to live. The world is full of unhappiness and death, but Jesus has conquered all of that for us, and revealed life to us, both in this life and in the life to come.
Last week, when I was finishing up I Timothy, I noticed this in I Tim. 6:17, where it says, "to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." This tells me that God is at work on my behalf, giving me a life that I can enjoy. (And the truth is, I do really enjoy my life. I hope you enjoy yours.) As Paul is nearing the conclusion of I Timothy in I Tim. 6:19, he tells
Timothy that people should "take hold of the life that is truly life."
If I put these three verses together, this is what I take away from it. God really wants us to put our hope and trust in Him, and he wants us to live good lives and be happy. So we put our hope in God's eternal life, and strive to live enjoyable lives now. That is what Jesus offers, so take hold of it.
Tom
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Hey everyone.
Welcome to my first blog.
I read something in I Timothy 6:6 that I have been thinking about a lot, and I wanted to share it. The verse itself says, "But godliness with contentment is great gain." This statement by itself is really good, but it is even better if we understand the context in which Paul says it. He is talking about the love of money.
Paul says in verse 5 that some preach out of a desire for financial gain, using their supposed godliness as a means to make a profit. In verse 6 however Paul says that real gain, or real wealth is godliness combined with contentment. There is a contrast here between those who seek money and those who seek godliness. Money can't buy contentment. Paul goes on to say that we should be content with food and clothing. (These are the two things Jesus promises us in Matt 6 if we seek his kingdom first.) Those who aren't content with those things fall into a trap, according to Paul (verse 9).
There is nothing wrong with having money or possessions, or buying newer or better thing. But in my own experience I have thought at times, "If I only had this thing, I will really be happy." But then when I got it, I didn't find happiness, just a desire for something else. It is much better that we should learn to be content with whatever God gives us. Because godliness combined with contentment is gain that money can't buy.
Tom
Welcome to my first blog.
I read something in I Timothy 6:6 that I have been thinking about a lot, and I wanted to share it. The verse itself says, "But godliness with contentment is great gain." This statement by itself is really good, but it is even better if we understand the context in which Paul says it. He is talking about the love of money.
Paul says in verse 5 that some preach out of a desire for financial gain, using their supposed godliness as a means to make a profit. In verse 6 however Paul says that real gain, or real wealth is godliness combined with contentment. There is a contrast here between those who seek money and those who seek godliness. Money can't buy contentment. Paul goes on to say that we should be content with food and clothing. (These are the two things Jesus promises us in Matt 6 if we seek his kingdom first.) Those who aren't content with those things fall into a trap, according to Paul (verse 9).
There is nothing wrong with having money or possessions, or buying newer or better thing. But in my own experience I have thought at times, "If I only had this thing, I will really be happy." But then when I got it, I didn't find happiness, just a desire for something else. It is much better that we should learn to be content with whatever God gives us. Because godliness combined with contentment is gain that money can't buy.
Tom
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