Highest Good

Be Content

Ken

“Be content” (Luke 3:14; Philippians 4:11; 1Timothy 6:8; Hebrews 13:5 KJV). Content with poverty, injustice, and hate? Obviously not, for we are taught to “deliver the poor and needy” (Psalm 82:4) and “love thy neighbour” (Matthew 22:39). Content with God is the answer. Contentment makes us grateful to God. Our only discontent is with any sense of not seeking the highest good of Him who is the Only Good. “There is none good but one, that is, God” (Mark 10:18). Instead of hating ‘it when that happens,’ our contentment exalts our Good God. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17).

Okay, What Is Love?

Ken

“God is love” (1John 4:8, 16). Love seeks God as its highest good. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:37 KJV). Evidence of love for God is demonstrated by obedience to His commands. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous [Greek, barús, burdensome]” (1John 5:3). Proof of love toward man is to regard your neighbor as highly “as yourself” (Matthew 22:39 NIV). “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2 KJV). And, that law of Christ is to “love one another, as I have loved you” (John 13:34; 15:12). Love seeks the highest good of your neighbor as yourself. When the Spirit of God is dwelling in us, it is brought to pass that God will “move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws” (Ezekiel 36:27 NIV). LORD, make us glad to keep Your commandments, and help us gladly bare one another’s burdens. Amen.