| Written By Administrator Saturday, 18 July 2009 |
"I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so
your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." (2
Corinthians 11:3)
It is the nature of God to keep things simple. Paul states emphatically
that no human being can deny the existence of God because "He has made it
very plain to them" through the work of creation (Romans 1:19, 20). The
heavenly Father reveals the truths and secrets of the Kingdom to those who
are childlike, not to those who consider themselves wise and learned
(Matthew 11:25, 26). When the Jews challenged Jesus to tell them 'plainly'
whether He was indeed the Messiah, He replied: "I have already told you but
you don't believe" (John 10:24, 25).
The desire of Satan and the tendency of man is always to complicate and
confuse the simple truths of God's Word. This was true with regard to the
Jews under the Old Covenant and is true even today in the case of the New
Testament believers.
The Scribes and Pharisees, who came into being prior to the coming of Jesus,
had made 'following God' a matter of endless rules and regulations. They
would "tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders" (Matthew 23:4).
The ordinary person struggled under this unbearable yoke and this is why
Jesus came and proclaimed, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am
gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My
yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28 to 30). We find how the
apostles of the early church had to constantly "contend for the faith" (Jude
3) and protect the simple Gospel from the erroneous and unsound doctrines of
false teachers (Acts 20:30, 31; Galatians 1:9).
As people of God, we must be exceptionally careful because "the Spirit
emphatically and pointedly warns those who live in the concluding part of
the last days that many people will depart from the faith and follow
deceiving spirits and things taught by demons" (1 Timothy 4:1). We must
guard "our minds from being corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ"
(2 Corinthians 11:3). We must be careful that we do not follow and accept
"another Jesus, another spirit and another gospel" (2 Corinthians 11:4).
What is the simplicity that we have in Christ?
1. God calls us to have a simple RELATIONSHIP.
"This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after that
time, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their minds and write them
on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be My people. No longer
will a man teach his neighbour or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the
Lord', because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the
greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins
no more" (Hebrews 8:10 to 12).
The beauty of the New Covenant is that it is possible for every human being
to have a personal and direct relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Every believer in Christ has been given the awesome privilege, confidence
and boldness to approach God and live in His presence (Ephesians 2:13, 18;
Hebrews 4:12; Hebrews 10:19). We are not called to be followers of some
religious ritual or ceremony but we are called to have fellowship with the
Living God (Galatians 4: 4 to 7; 1 John 1:1).
We have direct access before God the Father because He has "reconciled us to
Himself" through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18). There is no need and no
possibility of any mediator between God and man other than the Lord Jesus
Christ (1 Timothy 2:5, 6). It is He alone who is the way to the Father; any
other way or go-between is of the Devil (John 10:7 to 10; John 14:6; Romans
5:1).
We have the freedom to commune with the Lord in our own words using simple
language. Many Christians are afraid to pray in public meetings because
they think that they must use flowery language and sophisticated terms in
their prayers. We should not be like the Jews whose prayers were very
elaborate and complex. They had one particular prayer which began with 16
adjectives attached to the name of God! The Lord Jesus has taught us that
it is enough to address God as "Our Father" or "Abba, Father" (Matthew 6:9;
Romans 8:15).
We can be transparent and open before God. We do not need to be afraid that
He will punish and repay us according to our sinful thoughts, attitudes and
actions (Psalm 103:10). We only need to confess our sins to Him and He will
"forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
The one who acknowledges his true condition before God always finds mercy
(Luke 18:13, 14) and receives grace to strengthen him to be the person he
ought to be (James 4:6; Titus 2:11, 12).
We must also remember that we are in relationship with a Person and not a
system. There are many people who follow certain patterns so rigorously
that even if God were to ask them to do things differently, they would find
it absolutely difficult to do so. For instance, how many people who
normally read the Bible first-thing in the morning would be willing to first
look through the newspaper if the Spirit of God were to prompt him? Not
many because most people would consider doing such a thing as sin. The
truth is that it may be that the Lord was trying to show them something
through the newspaper so that they could pray about it during their time
with God. It's sad but the truth is that they missed a wonderful
opportunity to help establish God's kingdom on earth!
2. God calls us to have a simple FAITH.
"I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can
say to this mountain...." (Matthew 17:20)
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes
to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly
seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)
We are asked to have such simple faith in God- faith that He exists and
faith that He cares for His children. But many of us fail to have even this
degree of confidence in God. Adam and Eve disobeyed God because they
believed the serpent's lie that God did not have their best interest in
mind. They thought that the prohibition put upon them was a sign that God
did not really love them and care about them (Genesis 3:5).
It grieves God greatly to see His people doubt who He is. Jesus was pained
by the unbelief of people and rebuked them for it (Matthew 13:58; Matthew
16:8; Mark 6:6). The following Scriptures reveal that we are NOT living in
simple faith if:
We are full of worry and anxiety concerning our life (Matthew 6:30, 31).
We are shaken by the raging storms in our lives and we doubt the saving and
keeping power of God (Matthew 14:28 to 31).
We doubt that the plan of God shall be fulfilled in our personal lives
because of the opposing forces, seen or unseen (Mark 4:35 to 40).
A person who is truly trusting in the Lord will be resting in Him as well
(Psalm 91:1; Hebrews 4:3). We need to continually live in this attitude of
simple faith before God.
3. God calls us to have a simple WORSHIP.
Jesus declared, "A time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers
will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of
worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit and His worshippers must
worship in spirit and truth." (John 4: 23, 24)
The Lord Jesus revealed to this ordinary woman from Samaria one of the most
profound truths of the New Testament: the bringing in of a new dimension and
order in the realm of worship! True worship is one that gives equal
importance and expression to spirit and truth. 'Spirit' refers, primarily,
to our inner man and 'Truth' refers to a solid Scriptural basis.
We must understand the difference between the worship of the Old and New
Covenants because many people are still following Old Testament rules and
regulations even though they are chronologically living in New Testament
times. The first covenant has been made obsolete (Hebrews 8:13) and taken
away (Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 10:9). We cannot put new wine in an old
bottle (Matthew 9:17). Ishmael and Isaac represent the covenants of Law and
Grace and Paul states that the two can never co-exist(Galatians 4:21 to 31).
In the Old Testament, the importance was given to buildings, places,
objects, etc. "Seek a place.and there you will go" (Deuteronomy 12:5). "Do
not offer your burnt offerings anywhere you please" (Deuteronomy 12:13). "I
have consecrated this temple, which you have built" (1 Kings 9:3). But
today, God calls for sanctification of the people (1 Peter 2:5). Our bodies
are the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19). The people of God have
become the building and Temple where God lives by His Spirit (Ephesians 2:
19 to 22). We are not called to offer animal sacrifices but ourselves as
living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). The sacrifices are spiritual in nature (1
Peter 2:5).
The pattern and materials of the Tabernacle and the articles used in worship
were all specifically related to the first covenant. They pointed to the
work of redemption to be accomplished by Jesus Christ. They were only
'shadows'. Now that the 'reality' (Christ) has come, the old must go
(Hebrews 10:1). We are not to, therefore, use candles, incense, altars and
other such articles in our worship services today (Hebrews 9:1 to 5).
Having a church building similar to the earthly sanctuary that the
Israelites had is against the spirit of the New Testament. The presence of
the first tabernacle showed that the way into the Holy Place had not yet
been opened (Hebrews 9:8). We do not need one today because the way has
been opened for us (Hebrews 10:19, 20) and because the Lord Jesus Christ has
become our High Priest and is in the true sanctuary in Heaven (Hebrews 8:1,
2). We cannot divide the gathering places of New Testament saints, as the
space for the people and the altar area for the priests. Many churches
still have a huge curtain separating the Most Holy Place from the Common
Place. It is sad that the veil which God Himself tore from top to bottom
(Mark 15:38) has been stitched again by man. This is a picture of
attempting to put the believer back under the Law!
Special clothes worn by priests are totally contrary to New Testament
teaching. Exodus 28:1 to 5 teaches us that priests were given special
garments to show that they were 'different' from the common people. Today,
all believers are priests unto God (1 Peter 2:9)!
We do not need visual aids to worship God. The Holy Spirit is our link
between the seen and unseen realm (1 Corinthians 2:11, 12). He makes the
presence of God tangible and real to us.
Using statues in worship and bowing before an altar, cross or crucifix are
idolatrous practices. God is spirit, not an object! Making idols of God
is, therefore, totally irrelevant and irreverent. "The Lord spoke to you
out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of the words, but saw NO
FORM; you only heard a voice..Take careful heed to yourselves..lest you act
corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure"
(Deuteronomy 4:12 to 16). How can we "exchange the glory of the immortal
God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and
reptiles" (Romans 1:23)? God has given us statutes to obey, not statues to
keep!
We should not create any object for the purpose of religious veneration
(Exodus 20:4, 5). We must not bow down before them, serve them, pray before
them, garland them, decorate them, burn candles before them, kiss them,
carry them or even set them up (Exodus 34:17; Leviticus 26:1; Deuteronomy
4:15 to 19). To show any kind of respect to portraits of Jesus is totally
forbidden.
We must take an inventory of our houses and church buildings and throw away
all unscriptural things. Break them, bury them or burn them!
The worship services of the early Church were so simple that they could
gather together in homes. It's an altogether different picture today and a
clear sign that we have gone away from the true apostolic teaching and
traditions!
4. God calls us to have a simple LIFESTYLE..
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust
destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves
do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19, 20)
"If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." (1 Timothy
6:8)
The topic of Money and the Prosperity Doctrine is a cause of confusion in
the minds of many people today. I believe in prosperity but I also believe
that the same God who "richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment"
(1 Timothy 6:17) has "appointed the day of adversity" (Ecclesiastes 7:14)
and has the right to "give and take away" (Job 1:21, 22).
We must not look down upon the rich or the poor. There were rich people in
the early church (James 2:2; 1 John 3:17) and they were not condemned for
being wealthy or told to give all their wealth away. Rather, they were
instructed and commanded to put their trust in God and not in their riches,
to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and willing to
share. This is how they would lay up treasure for themselves as a firm
foundation for the coming age (1 Timothy 6:17 to 19).
Those who have been blessed with material possessions must identify with the
poor and share with them. The blessedness of the Day of Pentecost was the
opening of the purse, not just the opening of the mouth (Acts 2:4, 44, 45)!
It is our great responsibility to see that there is none in our immediate
family of believers who suffer from want and poverty (Acts 4:32 to 37;
Romans 15:25, 26). We must practice being rich in liberality (2 Corinthians
8:2).
John Wesley said, "Get all you can, Save all you can, Give all you can".
This is a wonderful principle. We must earn all that we can with integrity,
honesty and hard work. We may save all we can toward meeting known future
obligations (not as a protection against all future troubles). And we must
give all we can sacrificially, cheerfully and as directed by God, the Giver
of every good gift.
Like Paul, we must learn to be content whatever our circumstances, whether
we are in the midst of need or in the midst of plenty. This is possible and
this must be our lifestyle through Christ who gives us strength (Philippians
4:11 to 13).
5. God calls us to have a simple GOAL.
"If we live, we live to the Lord; if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether
we live or we die, we belong to the Lord." (Romans 14:8)
"So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or
away from it." (2 Corinthians 5:9)
A believer has only one priority in life. This is to live wholly for the
Lord and His glory. We need to relate to the whole of life through Jesus.
There is no division between 'sacred and secular' for the Christian.
Everything is spiritual, everything is unto the Lord. Every area of our
life, whether it be study, work or recreation is to be in step with the
Spirit (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17). The ancient Hebrews lacked
a term for "religion" as we understand it today because for them, the whole
of life came from God and was subject to His governance. And this is what
Paul so wonderfully proclaims, "For from Him and through Him and to Him are
all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen." (Romans 11:36)
The Bible constantly stresses the need to focus on "one thing". David says,
"One thing have I desired of the Lord, this is what I seek after...." (Psalm
27:4). Jesus told Martha, "You are worried and upset about many things.
But only one thing is needed.." (Luke 10:41, 42). Paul describes his life
in his letter to the Philippians. "One thing I do: Forgetting what is
behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win
the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus"
(Philippians 3:13, 14).
If we have different aims in life, confusion and turmoil will reign. A
heart that is fixed, focused and separated unto the Lord will be able to
understand His will and follow in His ways. The Lord is faithful to lead
such people in the right path. "The Lord reveals His secrets to them that
fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them" (Psalm 25:14). "Trust in the
Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your
ways acknowledge Him and He will make your ways straight" (Proverbs 3:5, 6).
When two people are always together, they become one! The disciples of
Jesus were able to know His heart because they were always with Him (Mark
3:14; John 15:15).
