Three Golden Rules for Satisfied Christian Life

INTRODUCTION:

Psalm 103:5, “Who (God) satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.”

Satisfaction is the longing desire of humanity for centuries. People get satisfied momentarily in food and barely any other thing human beings get satisfied. Money, Wealth, Possession, Position, Passion or Lust nothing can satisfies us, those who achieve them says “They need more.” Material things can never satisfy our desires it is the inner self (Spiritual nature) that brings satisfaction outside.

John 4:14 Jesus said the one who drinks the living water will never thirst again. As I heard and read of many testimonies 90% of them say they had no peace before Christ which they found in Christ. They intern lead a satisfied life now. The following are few observations from my side and through the scripture that gives inner satisfaction.

1.      DON’T WORRY FOR EARTHLY THINGS (Mat. 6:25-34)

Earthly things in this passage are food, clothing, shelter … etc. the earthly things satisfy us momentarily as I said above. It cannot sustain the happiness for long time (my experience of shifting to updated mobile phone – happy for few days then as it was earlier). Jesus makes a priority in v.25;

Life > Body > Food / Cloth / Shelter               (OR)

Spiritual (Invisible) > Physical (Visible) > Temporal needs,

Jesus’ simple illustrations from Bird (for food) and flowers (for cloths) – Pagans run after it! (v.32). I John 2:15-17 we read about it as love of the world, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. Everything in the world is lust of flesh, lust of eye and pride of life. They are not from the Lord.”

Instead, worry for heavenly things (Mat 6:33), “Seek first the Kingdom of God …”

Colossians 3:12, “Set your minds on things that are above.”

Romans 12:2, “Do not be confirmed with the world.”

Worrying for earthly things you gain nothing and no satisfaction achieved – Worry for spiritual things.

2.      DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME (Eph. 5:15-21)

There is two Greek words represent time 1. Chronos (χρόνος) means calendar (clock) time. The words chronology or chronological derived from this word to represent how old something is. The second word is Kairos (καιρός) in other words opportunity (opportune time) – if you don’t make use of it – it passes away. You can clearly understand the difference in following questions, What is the time (Chronos)? And How is your time (Kairos)? Both have different understanding when we ask it to someone.

v.16, “Making the best use of the (Redeeming) time (Kairos), because the days are evil!

Prov. 20:4, “The sluggard does not plow in season (Kairos), so he begs during the harvest and has nothing.”

Redeeming the time: It means if you don’t claim it in particular time, you will not get it back. Colossians 4:5, “Making the most of the opportunity.” (Redeeming the time). Following are few ideas to make your time useful according to the scriptures,

Be filled with the Holy Spirit (5:18)

Sing Psalms / Hymns / Songs / Spiritual melodies (5:19)

Giving Thanks (5:20)

Submit one another. (5:21)

Redeeming the time means glorifying the Lord in every moment of life.

3.      DON’T WORK FOR PEOPLE (Col. 3:22-25, v.17)

Getting the approval of God is more important than from men. Bible talks about pleasing God more important than pleasing people. Leader pleasers will get approval in their sights, God pleasers will be rewarded by God.

The passage is said for the bond servants (Slaves) who have no rights for themselves. Earthly masters’ command must be obeyed and don’t do an eye service/ people pleasers but do it in sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord work heartily.

Even though you work for people but when you do it sincerely you are doing it for the Lord. Mat 25:31-46; we see the parable of sheep and goat, the hearty service was appreciated by the Lord and said as service done unto Him. Jesus said in following verses about work…

John 5:17 – “My Father is at work so do I”

John 9:4 – “While it is day we must do the work of God, night is coming when none can work.”

Jesus worked on God’s (Kingdom) sake. Paul in Gal 1:10, “Am I seeking the approval of man or God? If I please man I cannot be the servant of God.”

Working (for the sake) for people often will have self centered motives. I Cor. 10:31 – “Whatsoever you do, do for the glory of God.” Phil 2:14, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” WHY???

·         People can never lift you up if God does not move their hearts

·         From the Lord we receive the reward and inheritance (v.24)

·         Wrongdoers will be punished

Therefore don’t seek the approval of man which will never bring satisfaction, work for the Lord in whatever works you involve in.

Recap: To have a satisfied Christian life,

1.      Don’t worry for earthly things - Worry for Heavenly Realities!

2.      Don’t waste the God given time - Make use of all opportunities!

3.      Don’t work for people sake - Work for the Lord in anything you do!

May God bless you!