JesusWalk Bible Study Forum: Q2. Contentment and Ambition - JesusWalk Bible Study Forum

Q2. (4:11-13) What is the basis of Paul's contentment? Does this contentment undermine ambition? What is necessary for us to achieve this kind of contentment?

I think Paul’s contentment was simple satisfaction in Christ Jesus. He had been through experiences where he learned to stay anchored by the sufficiency of the Lord in the ever-changing circumstances of life. The lesson learned well was that whatever the Lord calls you to or allows in your life, He will equip and empower you to go through. He is enough, and we are not. Becoming satisfied in Christ is important, or else we’ll always be struggling to find ability, provision, and strength in something/someone else. That distracts us from confidence in Him alone, and robs Him of rightful glory.

Contentment doesn’t have to undermine ambition. God gives us big dreams and we have great desires. He uses these to move us forward. We just can’t let them become our basic purpose and focus. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33) God is quite enough!

The basis of Paul's contentment is that whatever circumstances throw at him (including whippings, stonings, shipwrecks...and even periods of luxury) can be dealt with in the strength of Christ. It is not the circumstance that rules, but Christ!

His contentment never interfered with His ambitions, which were to follow the directions of the Holy Spirit. He did not seek contentment as such, he just had it! (Learned it!). It was part of his kit!

To achieve this kind of contentment we have to have our focus on Jesus and not on ourselves. Our love and life must revolve around His work. We have to be entirely other-focussed. The carnal nature has to be deleted (crucified) so that to live is Christ. We need to be thankful in all situations and give voice to that thanks. We have to be in the mode of pressing on toward the high calling of God, with our treasure in Heaven and a total servant attitude. We need to have the eagle vision of the sons of God in the way we see things - not the eyes of the earthling.

Paul understands that it was through the strength of Jesus Christ that he was able to overcome countless trials and difficulties. His contentment arises from the confidence that he can bear any adversity, resist any temptation, and perform any duty through the strength of Christ Jesus. This is a statement of God's providential care.

Such recognition strengthens Paul's ambition to seek Christ in all things.

For us, this means that our faith rests in our salvation, and the promise of eternal life with Christ Jesus. We need to understand that our earthly adversities will pass and in weakness we are made stronger in Christ.

Q2. (4:11-13) What is the basis of Paul's contentment? Does this
contentment undermine ambition? What is necessary for us to
achieve this kind of contentment?


Q2. (4:11-13) What is the basis of Paul's contentment?

Paul knew his contentment came from Jesus. That is where his strenght lies if with Jesus

Does this contentment undermine ambition?

No, i think it made him more ambitous. It gave him the peace he needed to do what God had called him to do.

What is necessary for us to achieve this kind of contentment?

To keep our eyes focused on Jesus. Remembering he is our strenght. Knowing he will provide all we need to get his work done.

Q2. (4:11-13) What is the basis of Paul's contentment? Does this contentment undermine ambition? What is necessary for us to achieve this kind of contentment?

Jesus the only basis of contentment - the only true peace and rest.

Does not undermine ambition - actually it makes us more ambitious to serve our Lord we were doing it for him.

To be content for us - is to focus on Jesus and serving Him completely. Study learning His Word - living the walk - telling others

Lesson 9 Q 2
(a) The basis of Paul's contentment is drawing upon Christ's power for strength. He could see life from God's point of view. He focused on what he was supposed to do, not what he felt he should have. He had his priorities straight and was grateful for everything God had given him. He detached himself from nonessentials so that he could concentrate on the eternal.
(b) This contentment do not undermine ambition. If we are contented we are more likely to succeed. Out priorities will be straight.
© Necessary for us to achieve this kind of contentment is it lies in our perspective, our priotities, and our source of power.

Quote

[color=blue]2a.) Lord Jesus.[/color]
2b.) (4:11-13) Does this contentment undermine ambition?
[color=blue]2b.) No. As he says: "[/color][color=purple]I can do everything through him..[/color][color=blue]"[/color]
2c.) (4:11-13) What is necessary for us to achieve this kind of contentment?
[color=blue]2c.) Remember that we have this same power available to us. God is in control. "[/color][color=purple]And we know in that all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose[/color][color=blue]." (Romans 8:28)[/color]

The basis of Paul’s contentment is the realization that Christ gives him all the strength that he needs. That God has all in control and will not desert or forsake him.
No, it doesn’t undermine ambition. Paul didn’t just sit around and wait for something to happen. He was involved in his ministry, he worked at it. He was content with circumstances he had no control over.
We need to trust Christ with our lives and be in complete surrender to Him. We need to seek His will in all that we do and realize that there are some things that we are not going to have because it isn’t in our best interest.

That it is in Christ's strength, not his own, that will get him through anything. Absolutely not, Paul was very ambitious. He was extremely zealous for God and obeying His will. Through trying experiences we learn to trust the Lord. Once we stop trying to solve the problem and let it go to Christ, we find that it gets solved very easily. We also gain contentment through faith which is produced by daily fellowship with Christ through prayer and meditation in His word.

Q2. (4:11-13) What is the basis of Paul's contentment?

He is content because he knows that he will make heaven his home that his sins are forgiven and that no matter what is going on nothing or no one can take the Lord Jesus Christ from him. That is our hope of glory our mind is content when we keep it where it belongs. We know he has promised he will never leave us or forsake us and Paul knew this for he had lived his life after he was saved knowing both want and to have plenty. The only thing that matters in our life is how we live it for Jesus we do not have to be concerned about the thing of this world, God does supply all our needs. Thank you Jesus,

Does this contentment undermine ambition?

We have our goals set for us from the day we except Jesus into our life. We still strive to do our best to be our best and to make something of our lives for God is pleased when we do what he would have us to do and he does not want us to sit around and not work. The word says a man that don't work should not eat that goes for women too. I am not talking about just work in this world for money it is for God that we work and we do all we can to uplift his Holy Name. Not make a great name for ourselves but make sure he receives Honor and Glory for all that is done. We need to be busy about the Fathers work and to support our families and help others that need help. Work is necessary at all times.

What is necessary for us to achieve this kind of contentment?

Depend totally on God and trust in him for all things he will never fail one of his children. Faith and Trust are what it necessary for us to be content in God. True faith and trust let us know every promise in the word is to us. We just need to do our part and he will do his. He is God why should we ever dough him.

What is the basis of Paul's contentment? Does this contentment undermine ambition? What is necessary for us to achieve this kind of contentment?

the basis is simple; that GOD is first now, tomorrow and always. and if you have to give up what you've recieved than no questions asked or procastinating either. just do it. GOD will lead you where and with what is necessary to do the job he has in mind for you.

Paul had contentment through Christ that gave him strength. Knowing that God was his source for everything was deeply imbedded into his spirit. He knew that Christ would supply all his needs because he experienced it first hand. No, ambition shows the outer life not he inner being. He still preached the Word and did what he was commanded to do. Being committed to Christ and not wavering. To rely on God for everything . We need an intimate relationship with Christ on a daily basis and turn to Hiim in all situations. Trust Him to lead us. Walk and talk with Him and let the Holy Spirit doHis Mighty works in us and through us.

The basis of Paul's contentment is Christ in him "The Hope of Glory" (Colossians 1:27).

This contentment in no way undermines ambition, because the true believer can do all things through Christ who strengthens him.

What is necessary to achieve this kind of contentment is an abundant life that can be found only in Christ.

Paul did not look on outward conditions in life. He looked at the inward, the heart, he was focused on the Lord and heavenly things.

No, this does not undermine ambition, it just changes our reasons for doing things. The Word says to do all things unto Christ.

Paul relied on God alone, He totally trusted in God for all circumstances. He drew his strength from Christ alone. He knew that as humans our strenght has limits but with the Lord there are no limits of what can be done.

[color=red]Paul's contentment comes from the knowledge "I can do all things through Christ." He knew that God would supply everything that he needed in every situation.

No, I think that it refreshes and encourages one to continue on with the message.

I believe that it is necessary for us to give it all up to God and let Him work His miracles in our lives. It is most difficult to give everything to God because we tend to not want to give up all control. We feel that we need to hold onto some for ourselves. We also must believe that Christ will give you the strenght and the courage and the knowledge to get through whatever situation that you may face.[/color]

[color=green]JESUS LOVES YOU, HE ABSOLUTELY, PASSIONATELY LOVES YOU!!![/color]

Paul is content because he has an unshakeable faith in Christ Jesus and in the Father. There is simply nothing in this life that can dissuade him from his pursuit of his ministry.
Paul is “on fire with desire”, and obviously does not suffer a lack of ambition. We must also learn to be still in the Lord, to let Him work through us, for His own purpose. We must, therefore, learn to unconditionally trust Him to know what is right for us. What a hard thing to do!! Only then can we have the same contentment that Paul had.

Paul's conentment does not depend on his level of luxury.He is content in all situations. His contentment is to do God's work wherever he is, to preach the Gospel and to speak truth to men. His contentment is in his fellowship with God, even if the world punishes him for it.

It undermines earthly ambition, if such is present, because they are not compatible.

But His ambition to see the gospel preached is ever present and ever alive. His work and his contentment go together - are part of his relationship with Jesus.

To achieve this kind of contentment one has to see with God's eyes, put aside the importance of the things of this world, value only the Kingdom of Heaven, and the word of God to show the way.

what is the basis of Paul's contentment?Does this contentment undermine
ambition?What is necessary for us to achieve this kind of contentment?

I believe the basis of Paul's contentment is that He can SEE THE PRIZE
that is awaiting him, and that all the things he formally held to , he now
counts as dung, for the knowledge he can receive about Jesus. He is also
very aware that without Christ , all is vanity and vexation of Spirit.

This contentment does not undermine ambition, because he now has a
new and more sure GOAL to set his heart and mind upon- the high calling
of God in Christ Jesus.

For us to achieve this kind of contentment, we have to pursue God with all
of our heart, and lean not unto our own understanding, but in all our ways
to acknowledge Him, and He will direct our paths.

Q2. (4:11-13) What is the basis of Paul's contentment?
Paul knew what it was like to be in need and also what it was like to have plenty. He learned that he can do anything through Him who gives him strength. He learned to depend on God for everything.

Does this contentment undermine ambition?
No it doesn’t. We can have the ambition to have a better life, but God wants our main focus to be on Him and His Kingdom.

What is necessary for us to achieve this kind of contentment?
To simply put our complete trust in God, to depend on Him for all our needs and to love and obey Him. We need to keep our focus on Him at all times.