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Sunday, September 18, 2016

KISS - Keeping It Super Simple

If I had a nickel for every time someone said that biblical principle was TOO HARD to understand, never mind follow!  Well, I'd probably have a few nickels :)

Right now in this culture and social climate we are living in confusion reigns on the grandest scale!

People are confused about which "god" is the true God

People are confused about morality

People are confused about themselves; if they are boys or girls

People are confused about which bathroom to pee in

God is not the author of confusion.  He knows how frail we are, how prone to sin, how liable to choose the wrong thing even when the right thing has been clearly laid out for us.

2Timothy 2:22-25

Just three simple scriptures that speak volumes to us, if only we will listen; if only we will have ears to hear.

22: So flee youthful passions (when we were young, we were foolish, selfish, unwise)
and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace (Galatians 5:22 & Ephesians 5:9)
along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart (we don't stand alone, but in the Body!)

23: Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels (if we got this one thing right we would save ourselves so many unhappy moments in our lives!  NOTHING means nothing!  Do not engage in foolish, ignorant controversial conversations that lead no where!  Waste of time! Waste of effort! Waste of breath!)

SO WHAT ARE WE TO DO?

24 & 25:  And the Lords servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.

When we fuss, fight and argue with people about what is wrong and what is right, we teach them only the same confusion they are already heaped in!  

Paul goes on in his letter to Timothy in chapter 3 verse 16 to reveal that -
All scripture is given by God and profitable for teaching for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness.

It is not in participating in arguments or debates that confusion is dispelled and truth reigns; it is in speaking the truth in love and living out the scriptures in our lives so others can see and be inspired to desire the hope and peace and joy of the Lord for themselves.

Keeping it Super Simple; this is a fallen, lost, hopeless world of confusion and anger and fear and sin ruled by a dark evil who only hates and destroys.  We alone are uniquely chosen by the Creator to present the alternative to darkness:

His love and light and grace and mercy and righteousness and holiness and justice and peace.

We are His Ambassadors, shining His light and calling others to His table.  It is a great privilege and great responsibility to represent the One True God to a world that rejects His very existence and shuns His truth.

This task is difficult enough without making it harder.
We are not called to refute every lie and prove false every accusation.  
That kind of activity bears no fruit and simply distracts us from our calling, wasting our time.

Three simple steps will accomplish far more that we ever will engaging in long arguments we are not called to engage ourselves with.

1.  Grow up in Him and actively seek in fellowship with likeminded believers these things:
      RIGHTEOUSNESS
      FAITH
      LOVE
      PEACE

2.  Avoid and walk away from silly, useless arguments about what is or isn't truth

3.  Speak the truth with your actions and your words, which allows the Holy Spirit to convict and      
      transform hearts and lives far better than any argument we could ever make!

Are you searching for truth but uncertain what to believe?  There is One whose way leads to life everlasting and truth that brings peace to the heart.  We can't change your life, but He can!  There are no magic words, no special prayer; there is just a Savior who will answer if you will but call on His name.

ROMANS 10:13  Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved    

The Lord bless and keep you this day, the Lord cause His face to shine upon you.