Paul, the servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, was fully aware of his dependence on God. He had truly committed his all to the Lord. Numerous statements within his writings are indicative of his dedication and submission. Consider his declarations: “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him...” (2 Tim. 1:12). “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20). “Indeed I count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” (Phil. 3:8). “Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:12-13). “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think as anything being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God.”(2 Corinthians. 3:5).

Dear Reader, do you have that same sense of faith, trust and peace of mind that Paul experienced? He told as that he pleaded with the Lord that he might be relieved from his “thorn in the flesh" and that the Lord responded by telling him, “My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Corinthians. 12:8-9). And Paul readily accepted God's decision. God may not provide everything we desire, but in His will there is provision for all our needs.

Though while we dwell in the flesh, we feel our physical needs, reality tells us that our greatest needs are of the spiritual realm. Therefore, it is imperative that we give due attention to the things of the soul. “For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mt. 16:26).

Brethren, “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Corinthians. 9:8).

The Holy Scriptures thoroughly equip as for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17). “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” (2 Pet. 1:3).

There is great depth to the brief statement, “You are complete in Him...” (Col. 2:10). Oh, that men might comprehend the reality of the statement and seek the Lord. When we feast on Him who is the “bread of life” we will never hunger for else. (John 6:35). And he who drinks of the water that the Lord gives will never thirst for else. (John 4:14). True contentment, peace of mind and confidence of hope are found only in total submission to Christ Jesus the Lord.

We certainly do not need religious creeds devised by men or religious practices that are foreign to the Holy Scriptures, for the New Testament Scriptures reveal to us a “perfect law of liberty.” (Jas. 1:25). Therefore, God has forbidden man to add to or take from His revealed Word. (Revelation. 22:18-19). Any addition or subtraction destroys the perfection.

There were, even in the days of the apostles, those who endeavored to bind on the saints certain things that were foreign to God's plan of redemption. Paul wrote, “There are those who want to pervert the gospel of Christ.” and he warned, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” (Gal. 1:7-8).

Nowhere in all the writings of Paul or in the writings of the other inspired writers of the Holy Scriptures are we instructed to address any man as “Reverend” or “Father” or to worship with musical instruments, or prayer beads or images. Remembering that the New Testament Scriptures reveal to as “the perfect law” of the Christian dispensation, and “thoroughly equip” us for every good work, it would seem rather obvious that many of the modern day practices must not be a good work in the eyes of God before whom we will stand in judgment. And in view of the fact that we must not add to or take from the Word of the Lord, do not those who dare to claim some latter day revelation and those who follow their teachings jeopardize their souls? Are there not enough warnings in the Scriptures regarding false teachers and false doctrines?

The plea of the churches of Christ is for men to content themselves with God’s plan for our lives and our souls. He is the Lord. We are to submit to Him and follow His commandments. It is vain for men to worship the Lord “teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Mt. 15:9). King Saul was told, “To obey is better than sacrifice.” (1 Sam. 15:22). For as in these latter days, to obey what God has revealed to us in the Holy Scriptures is better than any scheme, practice or doctrine that man can devise.

Consider the 23rd Psalm in view of our sufficiency from God. The sweet Psalmist of Israel sang, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” To those of you who truly submit to Him, “My God shall supply your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians. 4:19). Just follow His Word.