Lesson 292: “I'vee Got a Secret"
Are you fascinated by the words “I’ve got a secret”? Do your ears perk up and you do you lean in closer and whisper; “what is it”? “Tell me; I won’t tell anyone”! The Apostle Paul had a secret and he told me what it was. You can learn the secret too if you will read the letters of Paul in your Bible. He spoke of a secret of genuine importance and the only secret that we need. Near the end of Paul’s letter to the Philippians he had one final task; to express his appreciation for the gift that was sent him by Epaphroditus. In doing this he would include some profound moments of spiritual and practical insight including the secret of contentment. Paul expressed joy in his partnership with the Philippians and considered their gift of love for him. His happiness came not so much from the gift itself but from the people because of their thoughts, care and concern being continually for him. They lacked the opportunity to show this concern and love to Paul since he was “out of their reach”, most likely in chains for Christ (Phil. 1:13). He rejoiced because Christ was still being preached and he knew that whatever happened to him, the Philippians would conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. He was convinced their faith was such that they could and would stand firm whether he was with them or absent from them.
The Philippians had sent through Epaphroditus, things that Paul needed to take care of his needs. In thanking them he added that he had learned to be content whatever the circumstances. There was little doubt that he needed help because they knew about his applications, however, Paul wanted his readers to know that his rejoicing was not for the gift but it was for the concern it expressed. These circumstances Paul mentioned might be considered as the ups and downs of life; the good times and the bad times. When we are down, the problem with most is despair and when we are up the problem is pride. Paul was steadily content; neither in despair or filled with self pride. Paul knew the circumstance of life could change quickly but was teaching that none of life’s circumstances define who we are.
Do not misunderstand the word “contentment”. It is not complacency or a false peace based on ignorance and it is not pretending that a bad situation is a good one with an “ignore it and it will go away” attitude. The Greek word content means sufficient and God had already told Paul that “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). The word “content” used in Philippians 4:11 was describing the person who through discipline had become independent of external circumstances and who discovered within himself resources that were more than adequate for any situation that might arise. I think he learned this from the experience with the thorn in his side (2 Cor 12:7) while realizing that inward sufficiency is based on divine resources.
Notice too that Paul LEARNED to be content, telling us that the Christian life is a learned experience and not something we are born with. The phrase “I learned the secret” comes from a single Greek word meaning “being initiated into the mysteries”. Paul spent his entire life learning and teaching more and more about this mysterious secret of contentment that comes from knowing the Lord would stand by him no matter what happened. Perhaps the most well known verse in the bible is; “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13). The heart of the word “strength” is dunamis meaning dynamite. Wow! Now that is strength and power! The secret that Paul told me (and you) is that the source of contentment is Christ! The world has not learned this and some still think that contentment comes from education, money and have not yet accepted the fact that strength of our inner being comes from “His glorious riches” (Eph. 3:16).
Are you content? If not, give your total life and being to “Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us” (Eph. 3:20)! “All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Col. 1:6-9). “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel” (Eph. 6:19) and share the secret just as Paul shared with me.