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Originally the
words “simple” and “sincere” meant essentially the
same thing. In fact, the word “simple” is defined by word
experts as meaning without duplicity; free from dissimulation
or guile; innocent or harmless. The word sincere means all of
those things, too. In both words, the concept is something
true, devoid of pretense, not falsified or perverted in any
way (see the Oxford English Dictionary).
Christianity is
about the simple, sincere things of life. It is not a
complicated maze of instructions and liturgies, one where a
multitude of days and feasts are to be observed. Paul says we
have been delivered from all that (Gal. 5:1). Nor is this
Christian life one where there is no discipline, one where a
subjective ethic becomes the rule of faith and practice in
ones life (Acts 23:1-f). It is rather a submission of ones
will to the will of Jesus with all that that entails.
Christianity is
not measured by great deeds, but by the multitude of small
things done. There is little flamboyance in it, nor is there
much need for any. Rather, it ‘s the sincere desire of a
person to do his best at whatever is his situation or
assignment. It ‘s rather simple, actually. It ‘s just
knowing where you are going and doing the best you can to make
it there.
Whatever
happened to simplicity? Whatever happened, for instance for
doing small acts of kindness just for the thrill of doing
them, and just because it’s right? Whatever happened to
doing them when nobody is looking or when you can by no means
be profited from the action? There is considerable to be said
for the simple life.
A simple
attitude toward truth is a noble thing, even if nobody admires
you or rewards you for it. What’s wrong with looking for
holiness and piety and truth and righteousness without making
some big deal out of it? A right attitude toward truth is not
complicated. It just means that you have subscribed to the
Bible and that you have made a commitment to follow it
regardless of where it leads or what are the consequences for
having done so. It means you want to apply it to yourself even
when it hurts and even when you know it may not be popular.
But you don’t have to make some big deal out of that; it
just says you realize that “ye shall know the truth and the
truth shall make you free” (Jno. 8:32).
A simple love
is a noble thing and, in the final reality, is the divine
mucilage that bonds everything good together. “And put on
love, which is the bond of perfectness,” the Apostle Paul
said (Col. 3:14). It’s love that binds one to his brethren;
it’s love that binds the husband and wife; it’s love that
forms the bond with those who consider themselves your enemy;
it’s love that marks your growth as you make your way toward
your reward; it’s love that binds desire to expectation to
form hope; it is love that makes kindness and patience work
together. Read I Corinthians 13 where Paul personifies love to
show it’s various behaviors.;
I once ran
across a saying scribbled on a torn piece of paper which still
bore the creases from having been folded up in some purse or
billfold. It said,
“The stature
of a man is measured by his friendliness and courtesy for
someone who can do absolutely nothing for him.”
God isn’t
looking for flamboyant Christians, but for sincere
ones–those who will love one another because the have been
loved by God; those who will correct one another, but in the
love of Christ; those who will suffer if need be in order to
do the simple things that fit them for divine association.
So why, tell
me, do we complicate matters. “Ye shall know the truth and
the truth shall make you free.” How hard is that?
Dee Bowman
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