The Simplicity of
Christianity
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.
Intro: One thing I am sure of after 23
years of ministry – Satan has succeeded in making the Christian life so
complicated that many believers simply throw their hands up and say “What’s the
use!”
God never
intended the Christian life to be perceived as complicated. In fact, He desires
the opposite.
I. An Approach of Faith
The key
factor that separates Christians from non-Christians is the simple fact that we
are “believers”.
We approach
God with an attitude of faith, rather than an attitude of skepticism or
criticism.
Notice what
Jesus said about this “approach of faith”.
·
Luke 18:16 But
Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me,
and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you,
Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no
wise enter therein.
·
James 2:23
And the scripture was fulfilled
which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for
righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
We simply
believe God.
We believe
His Word.
We believe
in His Sovereignty.
We believe
in His Authority over us.
We believe
in our complete incapability to function apart from Him.
·
John 15:5 I
am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same
bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
We accept
that fact as a reality, and we choose to put our faith and trust in One that is
greater than us.
We choose to
put our faith in One that is more powerful than us.
We choose to
put our faith in One that knows more than us.
We approach
this whole subject of God and Jesus and the Bible with an approach of faith.
That’s where
it starts.
It is not
complicated in and of itself. It only becomes complicated when we allow Satan
to insert DOUBT.
·
Illustrate: Telling a child that there is candy
in a box. As he starts to open it, someone tells him there is a snake inside
that will bite him. Watch him hesitate, maybe even walk away from the box. What
happened? His faith in the reward was replaced with doubt and fear.
Satan does
that very thing to God’s children all day long, every single day.
Believing
God is not difficult or complicated until Satan lies and deceives and inserts
doubt.
So – what is
the solution? Stop listening to Satan and go back to listening to God!
II. An Attempt to Follow
One thing is
certain. No one can walk the Christian walk without some help.
God has
provided that help.
He’s
actually made it so simple, that even a child can do it.
·
1 Peter 2:21 For
even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us
an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Just like a
child following in his father’s footsteps in the snow, we are to follow Christ’s
steps.
No doubt He
set the bar pretty high. He lived a perfect life, never sinned, he never
stumbled.
But if our
Christian life is all about following His steps, then the least we could do is
ATTEMPT to follow!
Notice what
Job said about this:
·
Job 23:11 My
foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
The mark of
a disciple of Christ – following!
·
Matthew 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his
disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross, and follow me.
Complicated?
No. At least not until Satan shows up and offers another path.
When Satan
offers another course, or another direction that appeals to the natural man,
then it becomes complicated.
Then obedience
is not so easy. Living according to His word is not as appealing.
Solution:
Stop entertaining Satan’s path and go back to following Jesus.
Quote:
Complexity is in the conflict; not the compliance.
III. An Appreciation of Fellowship
The
Christian life is very simple when you understand one truth: how we life
affects our fellowship with God.
Once we
begin to value His presence and His power in our life, we will find it easier
and easier to life a life that will insure His sweet fellowship.
·
1 John 1:3 That
which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have
fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his
Son Jesus Christ.
·
1 John 1:6 If
we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do
not the truth:
Once
believers realize that it is not their relationship, but their fellowship that
is in jeopardy by their haphazard life, then they begin to find that
maintaining sweet fellowship with Christ is not complicated.
Conclusion: Living the Christian life is not
complicated. It is actually very simple.
What makes it complicated is when we allow Satan to tempt us to do something
that we know will hinder our joy, our peace, our fellowship, and we actually
entertain those thoughts and listen to him. Then he messes up everything.
