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K.I.S.S
The acronym K.I.S.S is well known, and its advice to us all in this increasingly complex world is a constant reminder to do just that …. KEEP IT SIMPLE.
We humans seem to have an inane ability to get over-committed in most all facets of life, to get stressed out in the pursuit of supposed happiness, material things, travel, entertainment ….. making a living, bringing up a family ….. even in the pursuit of health, fitness and leisure !
It would seem to be a consequence of 'the fall' …. Adam had a very simple existence in the Garden of Eden, where he was the caretaker, but then disobedience changed all of that, and he had to work for a living, and here we are stuck with the modern consequences … complexity, stress, and then confusion as we try to deal with it all !
And so also in the field of what is generally called 'religion' or the Present Religious System ( the PRS )
The words of Paul caught my eye again …. 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 Corinthians 11:3
The simplicity which is in Christ …. and the older I get, I can honestly say that to me …. the simpler the basic essentials of Christian life become !
To me the entire Christian life can be summed up in just 2 words of Jesus …. “FOLLOW ME “
He said them to Matthew as he worked as a despised Tax Collector, Matthew 9:9 and EVERYTHING changed as Matthew obeyed the call, and arose and followed him
He said them to Philip John 1:43 … the unexpected words that transformed his life … and doubtless those around him!
These were the words that he called Simon Peter, and his brother Andrew as they went about their fishing … FOLLOW ME and I will make you fishers of men … and they immediately left their nets and followed him Matthew 4:19,20 (but what about their wives and family I often wonder ? they also would have been mightily affected by the bread-winner responding to such a call)
After his resurrection, Jesus reminded Peter of that call when he asked about John's mission in life … what is that to you, (don't worry about him) YOU FOLLOW ME John 21:21
And these words capture the basic focus of my life ….. following Jesus to the best of my ability, since being 'Born from Above' those many decades ago now.
Living, doing ….. even writing …. as I believe he would have me do
Jesus words continually reprove, stir and encourage me .... if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and FOLLOW ME Luke 9:23
MY sheep hear MY voice and they FOLLOW ME John 10:27 (the verse that basically completely changed the direction of the lives of my wife and I and our family some 25 years ago now)
I recall a dear friend who had served in a local Church for 40 years, most as Senior Elder, then after the death of the founder, the successive leaders made it so bad for him that he resigned. But instead of bitterness or other reactions, in conversation with him as he approached his departure / promotion at nigh on 90 years of age, his most common saying was …. “isn't Jesus wonderful” and one was left with the lingering fragrance of a simple faith and trust in the Master that he had simply and sincerely followed all those years, through whatever came along.
But Christendom seems to blunder from one trendy accent of belief to another, as its performers rise and wane.
And legalistic religious leaders emerge and gather a following …. but their 'sheep' are kept in a spiritual 'kindergarten' and dependent on the 'hireling shepherds' for the sake of the leaders personal kingdom ambitions, and the Tithe is re-introduced back from the canceled Law covenant, and yet another building programme is advocated !
And complexity reigns, and eventually bickering, and the sheep are left bruised yet again!
When Jesus last words …. spoken from the cross itself. echo in my ears …
“IT IS FINISHED”
His life's work was complete, the new era of GRACE alone was commenced
No longer justification by works and animal sacrifices …. now by FAITH alone !
Accompanied by an earthquake ….. that opened up the graves and brought patriarchs to life. The sun itself was darkened for 3 hours …. incredible.
The Veil of the Temple was ripped ….. not from the bottom to the top as by man,
but from the TOP to the BOTTOM by the hand of GOD himself
The function of the Temple was over, and it was soon to be torn down … and its very site later ploughed. The Pharisees were out of business!
“IT IS FINISHED”
The LAW covenant and its judgments and ordinances, were finished, fulfilled, completed, brought to an END, their work was over, done ... finito … get the picture?
Animal sacrifices, tithes, circumcision as an observance, Sabbath keeping, were to be no more. Moses Commandments and the forward looking Prophets work was completed / fulfilled
“IT IS FINISHED”
A 'better covenant' had emerged …..... that of GRACE and Grace alone
Just read the books of Hebrews and Galatians yet again
The HOLY SPIRIT would continue Jesus work by his personal leading of Jesus followers after his resurrection.
Ohhhh. the simplicity of it all … the 2 words that a child can understand
“FOLLOW ME” and I will make you Jesus said
make you what you cannot be
MAKE you even like to ME
Paul knew it too .... after his amazing conversion on the Damascus road,
he PREACHED CHRIST Acts 9:20
The last words about Paul record him as preaching 2 topics only …... CHRIST, and Him crucified 2 Corinthians 2:2 and THE KINGDOM OF GOD Acts 28:31 from a rented house to all his visitors (the very model of an Open Home / House Church !)
The KINGDOM of GOD …. the personal rule of God amongst mankind, personal GRACE, personal salvation and the knowledge of God for ones very own self, the personal leading of the Holy Spirit in ALL MATTERS of life and service, and faith, a personal anointing, and personal empowerment .... what more can be desired ?
CHRIST IN YOU the hope of Glory Colossians 1:27
The HOLY SPIRIT to lead, guide and empower
GOD the FATHER completing the God head IN US, WITH US
Salvation, Healing, Guidance, Direction, Empowerment...... wonderful and joyous !
Ohhhh, the SIMPLICITY of it all
Can we just help ourselves, and K E E P I T S I M P L E
and be not removed from the sheer SIMPLICITY of FOLLOWING J E S U S
one day at a time !!
To remember Jesus words .... I thank you O Father Lord of Heaven, because you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them unto babes ... even so Father, for so it seemed good in your sight Matthew 11: 25, 26
K.I.S.S
