The simplicity of Christ
Sometimes things are so simple but we make it harder than it needs to be. I am finding that true now that my husband has gone back to school. It has been over 30 years since he has been in school, and trying to figure out this new math these kids do these days has been really hard on him. He has to spend alot of time in the math lab to keep up to speed with it. The formulas and techniques are so much more complex now.
He has no problem coming up with the answer, the difficulty is showing all of the work of how he got the answer. If only they would simplify the process, they would see that the answer is the same, no matter what technique is used.
Math is not the only thing that needs to be simplified.
I am seeing more and more emphasis being placed on Christianity that could very well confuse someone as to what the main thing is. We have all heard the saying, “Let the main thing be the main thing.” But what about when we don’t know WHAT the main thing is?
The church of today is filled with so many programs. Ministries for every gender, every age, and even every night of the week. Sometimes the ministry menu is so vast that it is difficult to even know where one can get plugged in at and where to begin. I have noticed over the years that the world that we live in is getting more and more complex. And it is difficult to tell the difference between inside the church and out sometimes.
God never intended for the Christian life to be “complicated“. This is clearly seen in Matthew, where Jesus says,
“Let the little children come to Me, do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:1)
Sometimes we have forgotten how simple it is to have child-like faith. Often times, when religion becomes complicated, it is a good indication that something has steered away from the simplicity of the gospel. The more complex that our world becomes, the more it slips away from God.
2 CORINTHIANS 11:3 “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpents cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.”
The very simplicity of God can be seen wherever you look. Look at nature. God built a years time around just 4 different seasons. They continually repeat themselves but yet never fail. 4 simples seasons, but yet each contain a variety of temperatures and weather changes. How about the flower? God created a simple pattern with petals and leaves but yet there are an infinite variety of them in the fields.
God’s creation is magnificent but yet simple. The same is true for salvation. Gods plan for us to know Him is not only magnificent but it is simple. It is so simple in fact, that even a child is able to perceive it. To know Him is as easy as A,B,C…
ADMIT you are a sinner….(Romans 3:23)
BELIEVE that Jesus died for you…(Romans 5:8)
CONFESS your sins and ask Jesus in your heart! (Romans 10:9,10)
Paul knew that the enemy would slip in and confuse us with making things too difficult and complex. If you are wondering what the simplicity he is talking about, I can assure you he is not saying that following Christ will be easy. However, he is concerned that we will busy ourselves and lose sight of our daily walk with Christ. Christianity is not about religion…it is a relationship. But often times, we get so involved in our christian activities that we go about our business “about” Christ instead of “with” Christ.
There are alot of great ministry opportunities available to us today, but I implore you, be careful to not steer from the simplicity of Christ. Don’t make following Him harder than it needs to be. You don’t have to sing in the choir, or be an usher for 20 years to come to Him.
Even though those are great things and God can use you greatly doing it, activities like that are not the main thing. So let’s keep the MAIN thing the MAIN thing …and having a daily relationship with Him IS the MAIN thing!
Preach on girlfriend, amen.
Amen to that, Laurie. The Gospel is simple, lets keep it that way.