Today my mind drifted back to a particular time in our church when we
had one of our missionary wives speak to the ladies during Bible study
time. It was a blessing to hear from an older Christian woman who has
walked with the Lord and is willing to minister to younger women. (Something
that is near extinction in the church today!) While our speaker was unknown
to the world and the message itself was nothing new, it was the manner
or the spirit in which it was delivered that took the truths of God's
Word and planted them deep within our hearts, quietly touching us and
challenging us. You see, the truth was served to us on the platter of
sincerity that day and it has lasted me a long time, for I still remember
it long after it's delivery! Which prompts my next question.... Can you
appreciate the simple ministry of truth or does it have to be dynamic
before you'll get near it and join yourself to it? How can we all ensure
that our lives send out a sincere and consistent message of commitment
to Christ?
2 Cor. 1:12, "For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience,
that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by
the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more
abundantly to you-ward."
Paul tells us in the verse above just what it is he as a Christian rejoices
in, what the substance of his joy is. If you were asked, what would you
say is your rejoicing today, what blesses you most in life? Fill in the
blank below:
My rejoicing is _________________________.
For instance, if given the choice, would you prefer to go out to dinner
to the most plush, expensive, elaborately decorated, professionally staffed
restaurant in your area, or would you prefer something simple, something
neat and clean with a friendly atmosphere? How do you prefer to have your
conversation in this world - on the finer side of life, or can you be
satisfied with just the basics? What is the testimony of your conscience
in matters as small as where to dine? What is the testimony of your conscience
in matters as big as where to worship the Lord?? Has simplicity escaped
you, can you no longer be satisfied with just the simple side of Christianity?
Child of God, has your mind been corrupted by the fleshly wisdom of this
world? If so, it's time to get back to the basics, time to get back to
what God has given us - the precious truth....
2 Peter 1:4, "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:
that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped
the corruption that is in the world through lust."
Some people would not have enjoyed visiting had they been in attendance
at our little Bible study that day, for the main reason that it wasn't
elaborate enough a setting for them. Our little church isn't sophisticated
enough for their flesh, for we have no modernly designed, traditional
church building, we have no pews - only aisles of gray chairs lined up
side by side. We have no orchestra or band to entertain, the choir wears
no matching robes and might not even all rise at the same time... There
is only a single piano to accompany our imperfect voices lifted up to
the Lord in song. But ladies, oh, how the truth is preached!! And it is
served in simplicity and godly sincerity... Even though the gospel isn't
served on a silver Christian platter with all the elaborate trimmings
of the day, the truth still tastes great!! Would that be good enough for
you dear lady, or would your conscience turn it's nose up at such simplicity?
Which do you want most out of life - sincerity or show? What does your
life prove to be true?
2 Cor. 11:3, "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."
You've probably heard the old expression that says: "All that glitters
is not gold". Well, all that glitters is not truth either!! Therefore,
we need to protect our consciences from being corrupted by the glitter
of this world, even the "show-biz" side of Christianity, and get back
to the simplicity that is in Christ, amen? We've marred the simplicity
of the Savior. In fact, it's rarely found among God's people anymore.
In your minds for a moment, just strip away all that outside tradition
at your church.... Strip away the plush pews that pad your backside during
the preaching of God's Holy Word, strip away the color-coordinated robes
of the choir that are pleasing to the eye, strip away the perfectly tuned
orchestra that soothes your ears, strip away even the singers that hit
the right notes all the time, strip away the church marquis out front
of your building stating how many souls were saved last week, strip away
the popular Sunday school material and self-help books that are lifted
up, strip away all the verbal superficialities and announcements, strip
away all the ceremonialism carried on within that leaves you feeling pretty
holy, and see if there is any truth hiding underneath all of it! Ladies,
if the plain and simple truth is nowhere to be found, if it isn't the
BIGGEST part of your church - if it isn't what characterizes your life,
then I fear for you, for your mind has been beguiled from the simplicity
that is in Christ!! A Christian’s life will be lustreless and valueless
without the jewel of truth.... Emphasize the essentials, amen? If it takes
more than the exceeding great and precious promises that God has given
us in His Word to impress us, then God help us!
Mark 4:19, " And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches,
and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh
unfruitful."
Yes, the Word of God is literally choked to death in many churches today.
It's been crowded out and covered up with the lust of other things entering
in at the expense of the Spirit! However, the simplicity of the gospel
has made it possible for us as Christians to share a new quality of life,
a truly rich life - a life of sincerity and simplicity - if we would be
content with it! In Christ, we can be 100% satisfied apart from ever experiencing
the lavish side of life, apart from ever experiencing the worldly comforts
that might surround us in our homes or in our churches. Yes, it's the
goodness of God that brings contentment....
Proverbs 19:23, "The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath
it shall abide satisfied....."
Jeremiah 31:14, "...and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness,
saith the Lord."
What we need before we can abide satisfied says an awful lot about us,
amen? Now ladies, don't go thinking that I am saying you can only eat
at McDonalds to be right with God, or that if you go to a big, fancy church
you're in sin. That's not what I am saying! It's the desires of your heart
I am talking about... It's being more concerned over having the qualities
of a divine nature than being concerned over worldly comforts and pleasures
that I am referring to. Christians have lost sight of what really satisfies,
and that is Christ and Christ alone, amen?
In closing, does your life send out the message of simplicity and sincerity?
Is that the way your personal ministry would be described? Are you all
show or all sincerity? Can the truth be seen or is it covered up with
pomp and worldliness? Are you committed to Christ no matter what your
lot in life might be, no matter what riches you might or might not have
in this world? Would you answer the Lord's call if it meant living with
less? Will you visit a church for the truth that is preached there, or
primarily for it's outward appearance? Will you stay in a church for the
simple truth or only if there is enough entertainment for you and your
children? What is your rejoicing in today, dear lady? May it be in the
simplicity that is found in Christ!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
