Introduction to the Spiritual Discipline of Simplicity

The word simplicity is almost like the word love. Everyone has an opinion on what the exact definition is. For Answers.com we get this definition:
n., pl. -ties.

1. The property, condition, or quality of being simple or uncombined.
2. Absence of luxury or showiness; plainness.
3. Absence of affectation or pretense.
4. 1. Lack of sophistication or subtlety; naivete.
   2. Lack of good sense or intelligence; foolishness.
5. 1. Clarity of expression.
   2. Austerity in embellishment.

Wikipedia gives this definition:Simplicity is the property, condition, or quality of being simple or un-combined. It often denotes beauty, purity or clarity. Simple things are usually easier to explain and understand than complicated ones. Simplicity can mean freedom from hardship, effort or confusion. It may also refer to a simple living lifestyle. Go to Wikipedia to see the rest

The Other problem I face in trying to define simplicity is the Global Warming or Voluntary Simplicity for the sake of saving the Earth. That is not what this lens is about. I am someone that will not tell you that simplicity is something you must do for the sake of all humanity. I am doing this lens so that I can open your eyes to the aspect of the Christian Spiritual Discipline of Simplicity.

And finally, simplicity in any form is not in fashion today. I think practicing Catholics may get it more than we protestants do, because of the traditions of the Catholic church. Today most of the popular protestant Christian books deal with how God wants us to have more here on earth so that is the dominant view we must cut through to return to responsibility in Christ.

I am writing more on this subject at The Spiritual Discipline of Simplicity

What Happened To Christian Simplicity?

I guess asking that question whil writing on a computer that cost me $600 is absurd.  But I want to challenge you to look around and see if you are living life more abundently by the world’s standards or by God’s standards.  If we were to send some of the American standard get rich quick prayer books to the Christians in Sudan or Kenya they would not know what to think of them.  They are persecuted everyday because they have strong faith, much stronger than that which is required to have thousands of dollars in credit card debt and still want more.

Our future is not here.  Our future is in heaven and for eternity.  Our abundance is the saving grace of Christ not the 55″ plasma television or the house in the suburbs.  I don’t think you must be a monk and give up everything you have, however that is the model given by the disciples.  What I want you to see is that when Christ said we must, “Take up our cross daily and follow him” he meant that.  I know so many pastors that try everything that comes down the pipe to help them make more money.  Most are making good salaries and they still can’t be satisfied.  If your leaders are doing it, how are you supposed to do it? You need to lead from the middle of the pack.  You must be faithful to your church and not bad mouth those in charge.  Be an example to those around you.  If you subscribe to the belief that Jesus wanted you to have everything that this earth offers leave me a comment and help me understand the teaching.

Love and Peace

Steve

Things You Already Know About The Church… Part 4

The church is open to all who believe.

In his book Gifts of the Desert Kyriacos Markides quotes a Greek Orthodox Monk saying, “The Church Is like a hospital, it takes fallen, sick, and confused human beings, who suffer from all sorts of destructive passions and sins, and with its very tangible therapeutic methods helps them attain real health.”

In Ephesians 4 14-15 Paul says this:

14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

Many people say that the Christian Church is exclusive But when you step back and look every major religion is exclusive.

But I also want to make it known that it is also inclusive Jesus said in John 3 starting at verse 14 Jesus says this:

“14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,15that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 16“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Don’t miss the next sentence

17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

People outside the Church spend so much time telling us that we cause hate because we believe that Jesus is the only way to God. God knows who will and who will not accept Christ. We do not need to put human constraints on an all knowing, all seeing, eternal God. If some one does not want to be with him now why would he want to cause them the grief of spending eternity with him.

The world today says the Christian message today is one of exclusivity but I want them to see that Jesus died for everyone and when you take all the world religions today none of them but Christianity have a loving God at there heart who would give his son for our sins. They just don’t.

The church of god (Anderson In) says this: No one person decides that another will or will not be admitted to membership in a local group. Neither congregations nor congregational leaders vote on who shall be received as members. The Church of God believes that when one accepts Jesus Christ as Savior, God places that person in the church

Jesus’ prayer in John 17 sums it all up.

20“My prayer is not for them alone (he has just prayed for the disciples). I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

If you are not part of the Body of Christ today I’m not going to tell you that you have to go to the front of a church, you can pray right where you are. None of us are here by coincidence or chance we are here for a reason. So if you do not know Jesus all you need to do to start the process is tell him you want to know more about him ask him to guide you as you read your bible and he will begin to draw you closer to him and reveal himself more and more to you.

Things You Already Know About The Church… Part 3

The Church should function as one

Ephesians 4:1-3 says

1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

If you have ever set in a church business meeting then you know functioning as one is not always as easy as it sounds. However, if we are to put our focus on Christ and his mission for us here on earth we need to stop focusing on ourselves and what we want church to be. It does not matter if the church is emerging, contemporary, or liturgical if the people in it are focused on what they need and not the mission of Christ then the church is failing.

1cor 12:21-26

21The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Look out for each other. That is the bottom line. If you are busy trying to get noticed and get your way then you are not following what Paul is telling the Corinthians here. Be a help not a hindrance to spreading the gospel.

Things You Already Know About the Church…Part 2

The church is the body of Christ.

We know that and it seems like a no-brainer. But if you are going to “church” instead of being the ekklesia you probably do not understand, nor do you care, that you have a part to play just as each part of the body does. He puts each one of us who choose to accept him as Lord into a local body where we can be of use.

1 Corinthians 12:11-13 says:

11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Skip down to verse 27

27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.

The church is the Body of Christ and he has given each of us a task to do in the body. We each are called to do something. No matter how small the task if you are a part of the body you have a function. If you are just showing up on a weekly basis to get fed then return to your non-church life of work and leisure you are drastically missing the reason for even going to the building on a weekly basis.

Yes even you can do something, from holding a baby in the nursery to holding a hand at the side of a hospital bed. You can do something.