Simplicity
Good Morning,
One of the troubles in life is the desire to impress others, a desire which manifests itself in our dress, our home, our car purchases, and countless other areas. Many preachers have faced this desire when preparing their sermons, rather than preaching simple truths, they seek to WOW the congregation.
Romans 12:8 “Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Paul said to give with simplicity, not to make ourselves look better than we actually are. As far as preachers and their sermons are concerned, how can a man think that he could improve on the Word of God? The most basic truth of the Scripture is Divine in origin, supernatural in effect, and beyond understanding in every way. How often have we read a verse over and over, and then one day, we read it again or hear a sermon on the same passage and realize that we have never before seen that truth. Of course, we have not seen it before — the Bible is infinite and eternal; the truth of yesterday was great, but the same passage has so much more to offer to a humble, seeking heart.
What was the desired testimony of Paul? Simplicity.
2 Corinthians 1:12 “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.”
Paul needed no fleshly wisdom, just to live the simple Christian life and to humbly obey the Word of God. Pastors get in trouble for failing to take heed to Paul’s warning. They become weary of their own simple messages and dull routine of soul winning, visiting, and study. Routines cause us to seek some new truth. This is the point at which heresy and foolishness are born into the pulpits of our churches. This principle of simplicity applies not only to preachers, but also to many situations (for example: a young lady who tries to compete with the other girls for the attention of the guys, or a guy at work seeking to catch the eye of the boss).
2 Corinthians 8:2 “How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.”
Relax, be honest, real, obedient, and stay SIMPLE! We need to stay focused on these principles, even in troubled times. The word liberality that is used to describe the spirit and manner of giving in times of trouble is the same word simplicity.
Because they could become hypocrites. Paul greatly feared that the people would get caught up in trying to impress others, seeking to be someone special, or striving to be someone they were not.
2 Corinthians 11:3 “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”
Satan beguiles us to seek what we should not want and to desire things that make us “as gods, knowing good and evil.” Wrong thinking will cause us to desire the knowledge that is not meant to be revealed to us. We ought to be our best. We ought to seek to achieve all God allows us to achieve, but by all means, we ought to be thankful for who we are, yielding ourselves to the loving Lord for His glory, no matter the cause for which He calls us.
Simplicity is the root for self-esteem. Faith in the work of God in and through us is the simplicity God requires; but simplicity is also the way to find contentment.
Pastor