KISS—no not the rock band or the expression ‘keep it simple stupid.’ Rather let me apply it to Christianity—Keep It Simple Saints (saints as all Christians). One of my early mentors told me, “You know, Bro. Arnold, churches sets their standards higher to become a member than Christ does to become a Christian.” Through the years, I have ministered and taught in hundreds of churches varying from liberal, formal, evangelical, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Charismatic, grace oriented, works oriented, and more. A few churches stood out as extreme opposites to my friend’s observation. A person just came down to the front, repeated a short prayer, shook the pastor’s hand and with that, became a Christian and member of the church with nothing further required. In contrast, the majority of my experience has centered around churches that demanded much more even imposing unscriptural requirements. A few made receiving and keeping one’s salvation synonymous with their membership qualifications.
Paul warned the church at Corinth, But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ (2Co 11:3). After struggling through my early teaching that emphasized a believer must maintain their salvation through works, I have learned that serving Christ is actually simple. Nothing is complicated about it. No group in Jesus’ time made serving God more complex than the Pharisees. Jesus charged, They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger (Mat 23:4). Jesus invited those loaded down and exhausted beneath the demanding rules and regulations, Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest (Mat 11:28).
Someone said to me recently, “I know you are more religious than I am. All I can do is keep trying to do the best I can.” However, I gave up religion years ago after realizing it was impossible to ever do enough to please God through my efforts, and I finally understood the simplicity of devotion to Christ. Religion is man’s attempt to please God and give God what man thinks he wants. Religion brings with it heavy burdens. It is also a major method of manipulation for ministers desiring to control members. No one by human works can fulfill God’s Law. Christianity is a relationship with Christ who satisfied all the Father’s requirements. His work is finished. Now by faith, we accept His completed work with the freedom to abide in His love without fear of rejection because of failure. Yes, we will fail but God does not leave us. We confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Yes, the Bible teaches we are to do and not do certain things. However, now we do or don’t do what the Bible teaches not because we are striving to gain God’s approval and maintain our salvation but because of His love.
The Holy Spirit led me to these verses in Isaiah 28 years ago, which have been a constant inspiration since. Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost. v2 “Why do you spend money [valuables (my emphasis)] for what is not bread, And your wages [labors (my emphasis)] for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance. v3 “Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live . . . (Isa 55). I wrote in the flyleaf of my Bible, What am I spending my valuables on? What am I laboring for? Who am I listening to? These verses emphasize God’s free gift that eliminates spending and laboring.
The word Paul uses for simplicity can also be translated singleness. Our devotion has a single object of focus—Christ. We serve Him in singleness of heart with sincerity and without hypocrisy and selfish motives. Paul’s fears arose for the Corinthians knowing Satan used false teachers and the Jews who added a mixture of tradition, philosophy, Jewish myths, and commandments of men. All this complicated the simplicity of devotion to Christ by deceiving believers and leading them away from their single focus on Christ. We are no less surrounded today by those who to teach strange doctrines (1 Tim 1:3).
Isaiah in the above verses gives two keys: Come to Him and listen carefully to Him. Many of you sit under sound biblical teaching each week. However, I know too many believers, who are weary and heavy-laden laboring under all the religious rules imposed on them.
Sustaining Word for the Week: If you are loaded down, exhausted, and unsatisfied, it is the time to come to Jesus, listen to Him, and rediscover or discover for the first time the simplicity of devotion to Christ.