Simplicity of Christ

I am being reminded to return to the simple truths of the gospel. Often times, we can complicate salvation and christianity due to our own misunderstandings or short comings. Simple and easy are not synonymous, but it is not uncommon for us as fallen creatures to cause unnecessary confusion in matters that God intended to be simplistic in nature.

It seems that no matter how many times I come to the realization that I must put my ingestion of scripture first in my priorities, something else always takes its place. A simple concept, that in reality is easily complicated once you factor in human desire and lack of perfection. I have recently started reading The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer. In just the first two chapters, there is so much saturated truth that is both refreshing and convicting. A perfect mix if you ask me. Tozer does well to remind us that "If we would find God amid all the religious externals we must first determine to find Him, and then proceed in a way of simplicity...We must simplify our approach to Him. We must strip down to essentials (and they will be found to be blessedly few)" (Tozer 26-27). First, we make the conscious choice to pursue God, and then, we actually do it. Simple.

Even in His word, God makes His instructions simple to know and understand

• Love God: "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind'" (Matthew 22:37, NIV)

• Love People: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another" (John 13:34 NIV)

• Repent: "But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness" (1 John 1:9 NLT).

• Be Generous: "You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. 'For God loves a person who gives cheerfully'” (2 Corinthians 9:7 NLT).

• See Exodus 20:1-17 for The Ten Commandments

The complication does not come from God's instruction, but from our inability to follow it correctly. This requires discipline, which is difficult to do. Apart from God we are nothing, so why is it that we place so many things above Him? Sometimes the practices or possessions we tend to place above Him are important, but if they are in the incorrect hierarchy it all becomes meaningless. "We are often hindered from giving up our treasures to the Lord out of fear for their safety...But we need have no such fears. Our Lord came not to destroy but to save. Everything is safe which we commit to Him, and nothing is really safe which is not so committed" (Tozer 34-35). Be careful of anything placed in God's rightful place in your heart. It will not only be an idol and it's true value and purpose lost, but it will be the downfall of everything else. A stone can not stand atop a house of cards.

We are reminded in 1 John 5:21, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." In scripture, Jesus often refers to little children as the example for how believers should live. Why? They are simple in nature. Think of your favorite memories as a child, and think of why they they are so joyous. In that stage of life you were not weighed down with complications. Things were more simple. In the book of Matthew, Jesus even uses children as an example of how to enter His Kingdom: "Jesus called a little child to Him and put the child among them. Then He said, 'I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven'" (Matthew 18:2-4).

Stop over complicating it. We are our own enemy in this sense. Eliminate distractions, destroy idols, focus all on Jesus. Chase Him. These are reminders I have to give myself daily. Nothing is more important than pursuing Christ, so let's keep it as simple as that.