We have an incredible ability to complicate everything. What should be straight forward usually transforms into an epic journey, filled with grief and trouble. Yet it should not be so. In every situation, we have the answer we need. Yet for some bizarre reason, we love to take that which works well and mess it up. Is there any hope for us? I believe there is.
Simply stated, Jesus is the answer to your problem.
Are you in need of something? Simple, Seek first the Kingdom of God- and all these things we be added. (Matt6:33) Life is pressing you in? Simple, – Pray with a thankful heart (Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Phil 4:6)
I could on page after page, with needs and answers. And if I did you would quickly realize, that the answer is the same every time. Whatever your problem, take it to the Lord with faith and thankfulness.
Sadly, something inside us does not believe that it can be that simple. I know I repeatedly fall and I don’t think I am alone in this. We are all made of the same stuff. Just walk into any book store and there is an endless supply of self-help books. Some make sense, ‘Like How to Decorate a Cake’. And it is not these books I am talking about. Rather it is more the ones with titles like ‘How To Be Rich and Happy’. Books that tell us how to navigate life.
Then there are the more cultist ones which deal with Horoscopes and personality secrets. Do you know, that we are forbidden by God to use such things! Do not give heed to Jewish fables or the instructions of men, that turn away from the truth. Titus 1:14
The ‘Jewish Fables’ is a reference to what is today known as Kabbalah. This is a mystical distortion of traditional Judaism. It often tries to link belief in one God, to the many Gods of other faiths. After this was written (the New Testament), the following of these fables became widespread in Christian circles and became an early Christian heresy called Gnosticism (Secret Knowledge).
For the less ‘spiritual’ and more practical, rule sets become the issue. In many ways, the Church Growth Movement can fall here. When Pastors and Leaders start using human wisdom and 3 step plans to grow the Church, they are following the ‘commands’ or ‘instructions’ of man that we are warned against.
It is not our task to grow the Church. Jesus said He would do that. Our job is to follow Him! Go into the world, preach the Gospel, make disciples and leave the growing up to God.
We get into trouble when we look beyond the straightforward reading of the Bible for our spiritual experience. For then we open ourselves up to deception. On the other side of the things, when we start doing Church by numbers and not by faith, we are stealing both God’s glory and His work. God will never grow a Church, that is doing things in their wisdom.
Love God with your whole heart. Love your neighbor as yourself and declare your faith in Jesus. The rest belongs to God.
Peter
