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The Secret of Contentment, August 24
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:6
.
Pure religion brings peace, happiness, contentment; godliness is prof-
itable to this life and the life to come.
That unrest and discontent which ends in fretting and complaining is
sinful; but the discontent with one’s self which urges on to more earnest
effort for greater improvement of the mind for a broader field of usefulness
is praiseworthy. This discontent does not end in disappointment but in
gathering force for a higher and more extended field of usefulness. Only
be ever balanced by firm religious principle and a sensitive conscience,
having ever the fear of God before you, and you will certainly prosper in
becoming fitted for a life of usefulness.
We should live for the next world. It is so wretched to live a haphazard,
aimless life. We want an object in life—to live for a purpose. God help
us all to be self-sacrificing, less self-caring, more forgetful of self and
selfish interest; and to do good, not for the honor we expect to receive
here, but because this is the object of our life and will answer the end of
our existence. Let our daily prayer go up to God that He will divest us of
selfishness....
I have seen that those who live for a purpose, seeking to benefit and
bless their fellow men and to honor and glorify their Redeemer, are the
truly happy ones on the earth, while the man who is restless, discontented,
and seeking this and testing that, hoping to find happiness, is always
complaining of disappointment. He is always in want, never satisfied,
because he lives for himself alone. Let it be your aim to do good, to act
your part in life faithfully.
Be anxious and earnest to grow in grace, seeking for a more distinct
and intelligent understanding of the will of God concerning you, striving
earnestly for the mark of the prize before you. Christian perfection alone
will win the spotless robes of character which will entitle you to stand
before the throne of God among the blood-washed throng, bearing the
palm branch of everlasting victory and eternal triumph.
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