Does Biblical Contentment Lead to Complacency?

Does biblical contentment lead to complacency best is one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity hi, I'm Bill Meyer along with pastor Gabriel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day as our phone number it's 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673. Our phone lines will be open for the next 25 minutes. So now is the time to jump on the phone. You can also post your question on one of our social media sites you can watch a drill live in the studio on our YouTube channel and send him a message that way course you can always email us your question at questions at core, Christianity.com.

Today here's a voicemail from one of our listeners named Mark I had a problem with the Bible because God in the commandment not kill, and then they went over the hill and he told the Israelites to kill people in the promised land.

And she had a problem with about eight.

I didn't have an answer and I see how you would handle that question. Thank you. Goodbye think that question mark in the simple answer is that we would distinguish between murder with prohibited in the 10 Commandments you know that the six commitment. You shall not murder, and then instances in life and society. Whether it's whether it's through war or you think of capital punishment described in places like Romans chapter 13, or even under Israel civil law where where God did allow for an even command instances where in the Old Testament as I sit there with with some of those wars routinely got commanded.

You know that the Israelites to cleanse the land of Canaan. It was a picture actually of of God's judgment of this intrusion of God's judgment and God was judging them specifically because of their sin, it given the Canaanites many many years to repent, but they continued to rebel doing heinous things even even sacrificing their own children it so there's this judgment that's brought upon them, and God uses the Israelites to to judge them justly so we have to distinguish between murder. You know, you shall not murder, and then some of these are things that we see in Scripture is not just a simple as saying that will all all killing. If you will, is bad and prohibited by God because you need to have those instances again. I think of of the discussion on capital punishment in Romans chapter 13 where Paul talks about how the business state civil officials carry that the power of the sword again in regard to bring about justice and and protecting against evil doing in society and so we have to dig deeper. I think a lot of times people to approach the Bible very simplistically and and they just see the things at a surface level so that there must be a contradiction there when in reality there is and want to dig a little bit deeper and see what the Scriptures are saying and so Mark I hope that that helps you. God bless you and how wonderful that you're having this this conversation with this woman who is in a believer, I pray the Lord blesses your guises conversations and ultimately she comes to faith in Christ and about one of our goals. Here core Christianity is to help equip believers to have those difficult conversations when questions come up about the Bible of the Christian life that you'll feel confident and able to respond to those questions.

So we also encourage you to check out the book core Christianity by our founder and that you can find that it core, Christianity.com phone lines are open right now. If you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life. Give us a call. Here's the number 833 the core and let's go to Julius from Oklahoma Julius what your question for pastor Gabriel click question reading and variety of the day as part of the study were doing and weekend like in and in the end it sounds like will all the nations go up to begin to to keep a feast and I had never heard of this before, and a friend of mine said it was the feast of booths or the LIF of each feast of booths and I just wanted some clarification on that you don't know what to make of that. Really. Okay yeah I think looks like you're referring to Zechariah chapter 14 verse 19 this shall be the punishment to Egypt and the punishment to all the nations that do not go up to keep the feast of booths is that we are talking about. Yes okay so you have a series of visions in the book of Zechariah here. Chapter 14 focus on the coming day of the Lord. One thing that we do have repeated in the in the prophets Julius is that in the end, you know, when God's kingdom covers the whole Earth the nations of the world are going to flock to Jerusalem to to keep the feast as it work. Now that the feast of booths under the old covenant, the Old Testament was this this picture of God's provision for his people while they were in the wilderness camping out in Oakland.

Thinking back to how God had provided for them were not bound by those particular feasting of those those those feast under the old covenant, which are described in which Paul says in places like Colossians, I believe it's chapter 2 rebel don't let anybody judge you with regard to Sabbath or new moon or fees for the these things are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

Yet, we have to you know make sense of the passages in the prophets that you talk about the nations coming to Jerusalem that I think the way that we do that is realizing that the Jerusalem it's being spoken of me fusing in the book of Hebrews.

You see this in Hebrews chapter 12. Specifically, as the heavenly Jerusalem. Right now the nations of the world gather together for worship on it on a Sunday were coming before the heavenly Jerusalem the heavenly mount Zion to keep the feast to receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ by faith to hear the word of God. The good news of the gospel proclaimed and so we have to that sometimes is referred to as the prophetic idiom you know reading these these prophecies. These these passages in the Old Testament that speak of future restoration or the nations flocking to Jerusalem after we have to understand them in light of the New Testament, the new covenant and how the apostle spoke of them and and certainly again when you look at places like the book of Hebrews, it becomes very clear that right now, today, even I would say the nations are flocking to the new Jerusalem, the heavenly Jerusalem which one day will descend from heaven to earth and and renew and restore all things.

Read about this at the very end of the book of Revelation and of course there are a lot of parallels between the book of Revelation and the book of Zechariah, so just not not getting too deep into the context there in Zechariah chapter 14, I do think that's the best way to read some of these these texts in the prophets that we find one let the clear passages of Scripture interpret the less clear ones for us and so that's that's how to approach this question specifically thank you Julius for calling and you're listening to core Christianity with pastor Gabriel Sanchez will tell you about some of our great Bible studies that we have available this week really need to order now for personal reading the summer or maybe for small group for Sunday school class this fall. Yeah, Bill. You know if if you appreciate the answers that you hear two questions that we get every every single day here on the broadcast than are our Bible studies are the perfect resources for you in these studies, we show you how to how to go deeper into the Scriptures in opening different books of the Bible whether that's the book of Hebrews or the book of Revelation, the book of Ruth with some studies through the Old Testament as well and also some introductory studies core 101, for example, our study through the gospel of John, so there's really a study for everyone whether your newer to the Christian faith and just beginning to study the Bible wanting to to get a handle on some of the core Christian doctrines or you've been studying for a long time and you think in him want to tackle a book like the book of Revelation. I would love for you to get a hold of one of the studies and all them can be found@corechristianity.com/studies for a donation of $15 or more love to get those in your hands.

And as we mentioned before, or if you want to order some for a Sunday school class or small group we have them bulk quantities at a discount.

You can find all of our Bible studies at core, Christianity.com/studies again. Core, Christianity.com/studies or course you can call us for any one of our resources at 833 the court let's go to a voicemail from one of our listeners. This one came in from Charles and all situation far as I can tell, and I hope I have that interpretation correct, but some of the people who made the biggest changes in this world where the lines who were not happy in their situation.

Martin Luther King, for example, if you like the way of his people. He himself was treated so he fought back.

Everybody, including myself for making changes that have made the change. Changes are those of the most unhappy.he explained I would just say that contentment doesn't necessarily mean complacency and so you know were called to be content in all circumstances, but that doesn't mean that we can pursue to better our situation, prayerfully you know use the means that God gives us and look for opportunities to do change things. First, with regard to contentment in the text to go to is in Philippians chapter 4 verse 10 is the apostle Paul speaking to the church in Philippi, he says. I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have received your concern for me.

You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am in to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger abundance and need I can do all things through Christ through him who strengthens me and a lot of people know that verse right there. Charles Philippians chapter 4 verse 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. But they don't know the context. The context is contentment in the midst of life's difficulties in Christ giving us strength, grace, peace even in the midst of those circumstances and that is something that were were called to as believers to cultivate that contentment, trusting in the Lord. But again, that doesn't mean we need to be complacent and one passage of Scripture that I would go to his you know there's a discussion that the apostle Paul has in first Corinthians chapter 7 and he says some very interesting in the context here. He's talking about it. In one such as just being settled with where you are in life. He says in verse 17. Let each person leave the life that the Lord has assigned to him and to which God has called him this is my rule and all the churches was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised. Let them not seek to remove the marks of circumcision was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised. Let them not seek circumcision for neither circumcision counts for anything more on circumcision but keeping the commandments of God. Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bondservant when you were called. Do not be concerned about it but listen to what he says here if you can gain your freedom avail yourself of the opportunity that is easily done.

Just a be content in an except they know that you're in this condition, that's not the greatest know he saying he sent avail yourself to the opportunities that do change, so I think I think if you think that you know you and and we were grateful for those people who were not okay especially with that with the with the terrible situations that surrounded them felt the call of God, oftentimes to pursue something better for themselves and for their neighbors and so we shouldn't. We should also cultivate contentment in our lives. Trusting God wherever he has us in life, whatever season or stage were in while not being complacent while pursuing the Lord and availing ourselves to the opportunities that he gives to us to to make things better. We can and so Charles, thank you for your question.

Appreciate that question.

May the Lord bless you.

Just a follow-up for you a draw. I'm guessing that would apply to the whole issue of biblical justice as well.

Pursuing justice not let someone say, hey, don't worry about it just, you know, it's all about heaven someday and getting people to believe in Christ and then ignoring the fact that there are injustices in today's world. Yeah, absolutely. I mean, and it just that that specifically is a part of obedience to God's law.

Sometimes we call the second table of the law. You know the laws it relates to my neighbors in pursuing that which is best for myself and for the people around me through through no faithfulness to God's love. God's law, which ultimately is is manifested in love and so yeah absolutely weak we can't be complacent in that regard, something we have to take very seriously and think about as as Christians, how it is that were engaging with with the people around is not just sort of sitting back and saying all it is what it is but Lord, where would you use me to be a blessing in the lives of the people around me to to be a voice for justice for that which is good and right and true. In my home in my community and in society and so I appreciate that you bring that up till great counsel thinks that Israel this is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez.

Let's go to Jennifer who is calling in from Iowa. Jennifer what your question prayed real and later we should support capital punishment and then you know I asked him when it is wrongly convicted and that's it. I mean, obviously, is a serious issue is an Jennifer and end the Old Testament you know there were provisions in the law of God, because this is such an serious issues with regard to the death penalty. You know, for example in Deuteronomy chapter 17 verse six when there there has to be eyewitness testimony just one eyewitness, but there have to be multiple eyewitnesses and as I me. I think there's a principle here that we can glean from right leg is the importance of watching out for things like false accusations for making sure that the evidence is there in me. Now we have things like DNA evidence, but it's not as simple as you know, is it something that we should be for or against. I think there are probably instances where it's words words carried out in a way that's not good that's not just that doesn't take into consideration you know some of these provisions that are made in in Scripture and where it's it's just you know people are are executed or put to death without without real justice without a real court proceedings. Those those kinds of things, but it does seem to me like I mean, it is very clear in the Old Testament, and then even in the New Testament talks about capital punishment earlier on the broadcast I did I'd mention Romans chapter 13 and Paul talking about how that the minister of the state. If you will lease the civil authorities bear the sword and they don't bear the sword in vain. He says for he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on wrongdoers. Therefore, one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience goes on for because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities he's talking about is the civil civil rulers who were under God's authority. Ultimately, for the authorities are ministers of God attending to this very thing. And so what we see is that that yeah I mean that the state or civil government has the power of the sword, but they can they can use that power in ways that are good and right and they can use that power in ways that aren't good and right and I think we've seen examples of that in society and so it's something that we have to be be careful with and and is not just a simple as yes or no, it's what we want we want to think about what God's law says, and in particular the care that needs to be taken with with something this serious. And so appreciate your question, Jennifer and Janet, those are a couple of text.

You might want to consult Romans chapter 13 Deuteronomy chapter 17. Also, Numbers chapter 35 those are the some of the passages that talk about capital punishment under God's law in the Old Testament, and then you know under the in the state in Romans 13 just a reminder here at core Christianity, we have some great Bible studies available to you this summer and they are in a wide variety of different topics and books of the Bible and you can find those by going to core Christianity.com for a donation of $15 or more is you preparing for maybe a false Sunday school class or small group. This would be a great resource for you. Again, go to core Christianity.com to look for our Bible studies there and let's go back to the phone's bill is on the line from Missouri. Bill what your question for pastor. Israel will thank you for the work you're doing on their thank you, Bill Wright, I wanted you to reflect again on the views you express very recently on their regarding communion. I'm quite familiar.

I think not as much as you familiar with what the Scriptures say one of the that doesn't deserve you as you express those that do not. There unrealistic in terms of the current situation we are all find ourselves unknown, particularly those of those who are seniors or previous of condition where we don't feel that we can safely take part in our churches communion and what our church does is they allow for that by having these little Lucille the package. The thing that one could pick up the notion of the celebrate their communion alone is they have to. As I was just reminded also of that previous church I was a member of a regular program of two elders always taking communion to a shot in who was unable to come to join the congregation on that Sunday's bill. Can I just I'm I'm assuming that you currently are you are you not able to attend church.

As you said.

And right now I related because of my age for the entire bill.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful question and if you were listening. The previous product is Bill is referring to time on error.

We were talking about the Lord's supper now sign with the importance of gathering together as the body of Christ take communion that is not something that we do individually on our own because communion is a sign of the unity we have is the body of Christ and the bread that we break this is this is the one body they were all a part of, and in the New Testament commute was always something that happened in the context of the church together on the family of God.

The family meal if you will, under the ministry of the word through through the pastor bill you bring up a great point.

This is been hard for for many people and so I are there. Are there ways to minister to brothers and sisters at dear brother, like you, Bill, and in situations like this.

I think yeah I do actually really like the practice of the pastor and some elders and maybe others in the church and visiting going to the home of someone who shut in and having kind of mini service if you will. Where there sharing the word of God may be even singing the hymn together as the church and and taking the Lord's supper administering the Lord supper bringing the Lord's supper to those who are shut in and so I did. I do think that there are ways to me. This is why church community. The body of Christ. This is so important in being in a church where you're known and where the elders you know know about your situation can care for you and and minister to you inside.

I would be in in favor of that, though I'm not. I'm not opposed to that. If it's done in that way, but I'm I'm not a fan of just individuals on their own being totally isolated from the church commune. People don't even know I'm where they're at. Maybe they're not reaching out and these individuals I wide I just got have to do it all on on my own. That's how God intended it to be, but I am grateful that you know in God's providence. He's he's raised you up and they are able to get back to church. I pray that the Lord blesses you, Bill, and I do just want to take a moment to to pray for you right now invite all of our listeners to pray for for Bill as well as he gets back to church and continues to grow in the Lord.

Father, I thank you for Bill I thank you for his heart for his thoughtful question.

I thank you Jesus that he loves your word, and he knows your word and I pray that you would bless him and minister to him and to continue to strengthen his faith, especially as he gets back into church Lord I pray that you would keep them strong and healthy that you would protect his body from disease and Lord that he would he would be blessed and that he would be able to be a blessing to others and for all those Lord who are shut in who don't have Christian community.

Jesus, thank you that you pursue us that you pursue them. I pray Lord that you would help them to stay connected to their church and Lord, that you would work in in the lives of the leaders in those churches to pursue those shut-ins and to care for them.

Jesus even as you do pray these things, gracious father in Jesus name, amen and amen.

No Israel.

I love that and I think it's a challenge for all of us in our churches to realize that oftentimes we do have church members. We have fellow congregants who are isolated in some way, my wife and I work with the administrator of the organization Meals on Wheels to take a meals to shut-ins and elderly people and I think every church probably has some people like that, whether it's elderly or whether somebody who's maybe recovering from something. What a great opportunity for us to minister. Absolutely. Let me just say as a pastor in a local church.

We gotta work together brothers and sisters. I mean, you know the pastors and elders. Really, I think, have have the, the, the, the limits placed on them to reach out to those who are in the midst of that we do. Altogether is the body of Christ. If there's people in your church that you haven't seen in a while want to give a phone call reach out to them in and see how you might be able to minister to them and encourage them in their walk with the Lord we are the body of Christ, that we get to serve each other with raised God for that. Thanks and God bless. Thanks for listening to core Christianity request your copy of today's special offer.

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