The Simple Life/Don’t Lose It!

by an Old Disciple

“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."~ 2 Cor. 11:3

“Beware of posing as a profound person; God became a baby.” (O. Chambers)

The Believer’s life is not to be one of a simpleton, but it is to be one of simplicity. Simple, not as the word has come to mean in our day, “a brick short on top.” But rather its original intended meaning; without complication or confusion, plain, crystal clear. You know, like “plain vanilla,” nothing else in the mix, no other flavors.

Old Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. used to say, “Simplicity is life’s most becoming garb.” All great men and women of God have been characterized by a simple life, like that of a child. As they teach young actors, “Have the head of an adult, but the heart of a child.” It’s a rare thing to behold in those with great minds, an intellectual simplicity. But it’s very becoming in those who do display it; such as my son Andrew. Not to brag, ha! ha!

Both Jesus’ life and teachings were the embodiment of simplicity. His speech was never shallow, but it was always simple and easy to understand. He was never above people’s heads. “Follow me,” is not difficult to grasp. As to His life, there was no connection between wealth and happiness. Martin Luther is purported to have said during the Reformation, “Let us get through to God. May He give us a basic, dynamic, personal simplicity of faith in Jesus Christ.”

There is one thing that will destroy a simple relationship with Jesus Christ: any add-mixture will dilute the potency of the bond between us and Him. It is not Christ plus, it is Christ and Christ alone. He is to be always, distinctively separate from everyone and everything!

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