Let's Keep it Simple

Keep it simple. A three-word philosophy of life that might do the world some good. It’s why I named my blog “Simple Man, Simple Life.” Why not add “Simple Faith” in there as well? After all, we humans can make things way more complicated than they need to be. You’re reading the words of a serious “over-thinker.”

Obviously, the Christian faith starts with Jesus and the forgiveness He offers through the sacrifice on the Cross. So, I’ve recognized that I’m a sinner that can’t save himself, and only Jesus can. Now what? How do I live out my new faith?

Keeping life simple and living it out fully

The first answer is to keep it simple. You do not have to know all the Bible in the world to live out what you believe. The Lord Himself kept it simple in Matthew Chapter 22. It started in verses 35 and 36 when the Pharisees approached Jesus with yet another attempt to trap Him in His own words. They asked Him, “Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?”

I love His answer that begins in verse 37. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All of the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.”

Now don’t skip that last sentence. Bibleref.com puts it this way: everything written in the bible and spoken of by prophets is ultimately designed to motivate us to love our God and love other people. Putting it another way, God’s greatest desire is for a human being to love God and love others. Everything about us should be motivated by these core impulses. Love God and love people.

How do we love God with our heart, soul, and strength? Well, here’s a thought. John 14:15 says we show our love for Jesus by obeying Him: “If you love me, keep my commandments.” That’s one way you can do it. But don’t obey because you have to. I’m hoping with time you’ll get to the point of obeying Him because you love Him and see His commands are in place for your good. You’ll learn His commands in the Bible. Get to reading.

How about loving other people? Easy to say but sometimes incredibly hard to do. I was reading through Luke the other day and I think I’ve got some simple answers to start you in the right direction of loving others.

This is how you live out what you believe

Luke Chapter 3 deals with the ministry of John the Baptist and his preaching of a new Gospel of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus hadn’t quite begun His ministry just yet, so people were coming to John and looking for answers to the question, “What must we do to be saved?”

There were a lot of people there from different walks of life, so his answers varied depending on who he was addressing.

In verse 11, John says, “The one with two shirts must share with someone who has none, and the one with food must do the same.” In other words, give to those in need.

To the tax collectors, he said, “Don’t collect any more than what you have been authorized to collect.” They had a bad habit of overcharging the populace. Stick to the rules in business transactions of any kind.

To the soldiers, he said, “Don’t take money from anyone by force or false accusation. Instead, be satisfied with your wages.” I think that’s pretty self-explanatory, right?

Did you notice that those examples include things you wouldn’t want someone doing to you? You don’t want to be overcharged by the tax man. You don’t want soldiers taking from you just because they can, right? In other words, if you wouldn’t want it done to you, don’t do it to others. That is how you love your neighbor as yourself.

Matthew 7:12 says it best: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Here's more encouragement from Danny Gokey. I love this song!