Keep it Simple

"'It seemed good to the Holy Spirit

and to us

not to burden you with anything

 beyond the following requirements:

You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols,

from blood,

from the meat of strangled animals

and from sexual immorality.

You will do well to avoid these things'. . .

So the churches were strengthened in faith

and grew daily in numbers."

They wanted to follow Jesus.  His love drew them and they desired the peace found by those who walk with Him.  Some of the old-timers, however, were giving them all kinds of rules to follow, requirements to keep, and dictates to which they were told to adhere. This seemed more complicated than they first believed.  Maybe they weren't cut out to join the group of believers.  Their ways were just too foreign and difficult to learn.

The Gentiles, or non-Jews,  joined the dedicated and growing church in the first century soon after persecution began by the Jews who did not recognize Jesus as Messiah.  The gospel went out to the "unclean" heathens who were ignorant of Moses and his laws.  Since God made it clear that there was no difference between Jew and Gentile, that all were saved by faith in Jesus Christ, these foreigners knew they were a part of the Way. (Romans 10:12-13)  

Some people, however, did not want to let go of old habits, customs and teachings.  The result was not a closer bond between God's children, but a fracturing of the unity that comes in following Christ. (Ephesians 4:1-6)

In order to meet this challenge head-on, the leaders of the first church met and came up with a solution that still applies to us today:  Keep it simple.  Focus on the basics.  Don't muck up the clarity of the truth with unnecessary rules.  I would be considered wise to take their advice.

Worldly Ways

There is a spiritual unity between all mankind whose message changes to accommodate the times.

One can gain salvation from God through knowledge of Him.

Followers can gain eternal life by strictly and religiously performing certain acts and meeting specific requirements.

Adherents can gain enlightenment and inner peace through physical discipline.

According to the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, there are nineteen major religions recognized in the world today.  While thousands of smaller sects and belief systems exist,  most can be categorized within these main groups.  

Out of all the religions, however, only one offers the Truth.  Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)  As a follower of Jesus Christ, I must recognize this fact and guard myself from falling into the world's way of thinking where every belief system holds the same regard.

While I am not advocating showing disrespect for what others believe, I cannot deny the exclusiveness of the Gospel.  Jesus leaves no wiggle room; no space to sneak into His kingdom from another path.  He clearly states that He is the gate to enter into eternal life, and only a few will find His path to life.  (John 10:7, Matthew 7:14)  There is no other option.  (John 3:16-18)

The world tells me I must be tolerant of all religions, accepting them as legitimate and equally as acceptable as mine.  While I will not treat someone with contempt because of their beliefs, I will not be shy in telling the truth in love.  As the old saying goes, if I don't stand for something, I'll fall for anything.

God knew how vulnerable humans are to getting sucked into false beliefs.  Consequently, He forbade His chosen people to marry outside the faith.  He knew that once they intermarried with other people groups, it wouldn't be long before the Israelites would begin to accept foreign practices as their own. (1 Kings 11:1-6)  I am no different.  I must carefully guard myself against pollution from false religious viewpoints out of respect for the God whom I claim to serve. 

In order to follow Jesus, I must stay true to Him and keep myself pure from other religious beliefs.

Value Life

God destroyed all life that He had created.  He spared Noah, his family, and two of every unclean species of animal as well as seven of every clean animal and also seven of each variety of bird.  God wiped all other life off the face of the earth with a devastating flood.  

On the surface this may seem to illustrate a disregard that God holds for all the life He created.  He soon set that fallacy to rest, however, as He established a new covenant between Himself and His people.  He said He would demand an accounting for the life of each animal as well as man.  Then He declared, "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man." (Genesis 9:5-6)

There are many ways I minimize the sanctity of life.  I can callously disregard the suffering of pets, thinking they're just animals so why do they matter?  Sometimes, I don't treat another's opinion as important, but cast it aside as so much garbage, treating them as if they don't matter.  

Many times I hold a belief in my heart that abortion is wrong, but I won't go so far as taking a stand in public or speaking out against the callous yet lawful act.  Other times I won't consider taking a pregnant teen under my wing, instead choosing to simply cluck my tongue at her decision to end the life of her baby.  

How many times do I overlook the suffering of a single mom and her children, choosing to expect the government or someone else to take care of them?  

There are many ways I devalue the life God has created, but it's not always the life of others I disrespect.  Sometimes, that attitude falls closer to home.

Stanley Hauerwas made a significant distinction between existing and truly valuing the life God gave me through faith in Jesus Christ.  He said, "You are not free to make up your life as a Christian.  Your life is not like a gift, your life is a gift.  That is a very important grammatical point.  Until you learn to receive your life gift, you are lost."  

Many times, I take my life for granted instead of making the most of every opportunity and living intentionally.  (Ephesians 4:15-17)  Living in a way that honors life respects and values all life, including my own.  

In order to follow Jesus, I must value life as God has created it.

Sexual Immorality

Children dabble in sexual behavior with their classmates as if it were a normal pastime, kind of like going to the movies or playing Scrabble.  Girls kiss girls and boys have boyfriends.  Intimate details that cause me to blush are portrayed in sex scenes.   Two men raise a child and call themselves a family.  Risque and revealing clothing are the norm.  There is no doubt that the American culture reveres sex as a god and an acceptable part of entertainment

Television and movies are common vehicles for all kinds of sexually immoral behavior, attitudes and points of view.  As a follower of Christ, I am called to keep away from all kinds of sinful, fleshly pursuits, but there is something more grievous to God's Spirit in engaging in morally wrong behavior when it comes to sex.  

As one whose body is a temple for the Holy Spirit, I am to treat it as holy and set apart.  (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)  If I look closely at the teachings of Jesus, I don't think I can say that God only wants me to abstain from sex outside of marriage.  Since He said that, "I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:28)

God is all about my heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)  In His kingdom, hating is considered to be the same as murder (Matthew 5:21-22), giving is to be done in secret out of obedience to God alone ( Mark 12:41-44, Matthew 6:1-4) and I can only find peace when I commit all worries and problems to Him.  (Philippians 4:6-7)  

For this reason, when I watch pornographic scenes in prime time in the comfort and privacy of my own home, my heart is exposed to all kinds of evil; things that are contrary to God's Spirit.  (Galatians 5:19-21)  It is my calling as a believer to keep myself pure and holy as God is holy.  (1 Peter 1:13-16)  I cannot watch, listen to or take part in filth and consider myself to be pure.  Instead, I am joining in with the sexually immoral behavior, absorbing it as if I approve.  (Romans 1:32)  I know better.   

As David reminded his son, Solomon, "Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts.  Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions.  Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you.  Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust." (Proverbs 4:23-24 MSG)

In order to follow Jesus, I would be wise to stay far away from sexual immorality of any kind.

There are many rules I could follow and much advice I could take in order to grow closer to God.  I would do well, however, to follow the guidance of God's Spirit as given to the new believers in Antioch.  He said to keep myself pure from other religions and belief systems, value life of all kind, and steer clear from sexual immorality.  In keeping it simple, I can please God.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can refrain from making my walk with Jesus more complicated than it needs to be.

How do I tend to add things to the gospel, believing there is something I need to do to gain eternal life, thus heaping a heavy load upon myself and others?

When do I fall into the ways of the culture in which I live?