By M. H. Reynolds Jr.
Genuine, biblical godliness is in short supply these days for a number of reasons: one—because so many believers are spending more time with the words of men than they do with the Word of God; two—because they are following the programs of the world rather than strictly adhering to God’s instructions concerning their daily walk and ministry; three—because they and their compromising evangelical and charismatic leaders refuse to teach and obey God’s repeated commands to separate from false teachers, disobedient brethren, and the world. Failure to practice biblical separation is ungodliness, not godliness. Godliness cannot be exemplified nor claimed by those who refuse to teach and obey “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).
What about contentment (satisfaction and ease of mind)? Why are so few believers today experiencing contentment? It is because genuine contentment cannot be experienced by any believer who is disobedient to the Word of God. True godliness and true contentment are inextricably joined. It is heartbreaking to see so many believers seeking contentment in the wrong way and in the wrong places. Think of the millions of Christians who are being deceived today by charismatic teachers who promise healing, good health, and financial prosperity to those who embrace and support their unscriptural teachings. Think of the fact that the vast majority of evangelical leaders are refusing to warn the millions of people whom they reach and influence with their books, through their crusades, and by radio and television around the world about the sin of unscriptural fellowships.
Millions of professing Christians today are headed for great disillusionment and ultimate tragedy. Why? They have based their standards of godliness and contentment on the recommendation of whatever movement attracts the most people instead of holding faithfully to God’s standard as revealed in His Word. Note carefully God’s instructions as set forth in 1 Timothy 6:3-8, which is only one of many Scriptures that set forth the basis of true godliness and contentment: “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain.…”
Why is it that through the ministry of the Fundamental Evangelistic Association strong words of warning have to be sounded over and over again? Simply, it is because so many Christian leaders today are not consenting to the “wholesome words” of Scripture. They refuse to teach doctrine that is according to godliness. The most popular leaders of our day present very attractive programs, but they no longer teach “wholesome words” (sound doctrine) because that is not what most professing Christians want to hear. Pastors feed their own flesh on the praise of men and become competitors in a race to see who can build the largest churches and constituencies. It does not take long for any leader who desires greater power and finances to discover that he must please people, the majority of whom want to be flattered or entertained. So great are the satanic pressures of our day that many leaders who once were faithful to the Word of God in their ministries have succumbed to false, unscriptural philosophies based upon pleasing men rather than pleasing God. What a tragic mistake!
In verse four of the text quoted, God gives His analysis of all such: “He is proud, knowing nothing.” The problem is compounded, however, because most Christian leaders and their followers refuse to obey God’s command in verse five: “From such withdraw thyself.” Failure to practice biblical separation from false teachers, disobedient brethren, and the world is a major reason why so many churches and individuals are in a state of abject confusion. They are neither leading godly lives nor enjoying genuine contentment. To those of you who are standing firm for the truth and against error—we know this is not easy, and we know that we are in the minority today. But may our dear Lord help us to experience the truth of verse six: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” When the burdens are heaviest and the needs are greatest, we can and should experience and enjoy that true contentment which is promised to the faithful believer, thus enabling us to praise our wonderful Lord at all times and under all circumstances. With the psalmist we can say, “I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psa. 34:1). Godliness with contentment is great gain. God says so. Let us enjoy His contentment as never before. — Pastor M. H. Reynolds Jr. (1919-1997)
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