Bulletin Articles: Full Article for Record Number 1056
Contented Cows
by Larry Ray Hafley
A famous milk company used to advertize its product as, "The milk from contented cows." I heard about a little dairy down south that countered with, "Our cows are never contented. They are always trying to do better."
Christians sometimes become content and quit trying to do better. However, this spirit of complacency is contrary to the cross of Christ. As mature as the apostle Paul was, he did not depend upon the successes of the past-"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended (to have gained the prize-LRH): but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13, 14). The concluding sentence pictures the runner as he sprints toward the finish line.
A Christian is only good as long as he grows. In Christ, development must be according to the motto, "Forward ever-backward never" (2 Pet. 3:18).
"Use it, or lose it," is true in the spiritual realm, too. Despite this, there are those who boldly began that are now chewing the cud of contentment in the devil’s pasture. They are doomed to utter failure (Jn. 15:2-6).
