Simplicity of heart

“Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬-‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Simplicity of heart

There is something clarifying in being brought to the end of oneself, for there is no time, or energy, to rationalize, to intellectualize, for all resources, physical and spiritual are given over to survival. I have nothing in reserve, and it is all that I can do to get through the day.

In my weakness, I am driven down, forced to my knees, having heart bowed, as I know that I can only survive by the grace of God. I am as a child, reaching up to God, for in my lowness, the only other direction is up.

There are many who seek to make the Lord God over in their image, to interpret, or more precisely, misinterpret the word of God to meet their own self defined godhood. For them, faith is an accessory, a decoration that is added to all the other definition [s that are used to illustrate who they are.

The Lord desires that we approach Him in simplicity, like a child, having a concrete understanding of who the Lord is. As I read the passage in Mark chapter ten, I thought of little children, filled with wonder, marveling at every new experience, every new taste.

I sat and reflected on my own childhood, the good parts, of the times I had firsts, like the time I could see over the top of the counter in the kitchen of the home I still reside.

For the Christian, there is that first blush of faith, when the newly saved followers of Jesus walk in that new state, having shed the weight of past sin. I remember that first day as a new Christian. It seemed as if the colors in nature were much brighter, that even the air smelled different. Nothing had changed, the sin that had so ensnared me previously had dulled my senses, for the daily maintenance of my sinful heart sucked all the life from me.

But now I was free.

The maintenance of the sinful life is oh so taxing, for we have the dual duty of continuing in sin and hiding it so that those around us do not know who awful we really are. It like an eternal whackamol game where we are constantly trying to cover they evidences of our sinfulness, seeking to find some rationalization that is good enough to convince people that what we do is normal.

Try as we might, the works of the flesh is present and there for all the world to see.

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV

Brothers and sisters, let us be children before the Lord. Let us start by poring over the Scriptures and seeking to live lives according to what the word says, and not seeking to obfuscate its meaning that it is twisted to allow for the sins we delight in.

May each word read, mark us, afflict us if necessary, as it works with the Holy Spirit to transform us.

We are entering into a time when all but the very rich will be living in desperation. Those of us who are born again followers of Jesus Christ, will need to be focused on what is true and simple, other than what is conjured up and concocted in the heart of man.

Though all around us is falling apart, we still have a mission to complete, for we have been instructed to go into all the world and share the Gospel.

Lest we forget:

“Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,”
‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

To resist the draw of what is evil, let us reflect on what is good and of God.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
Philippians 4:8 NKJV

This can be particularly difficult these days for every bit of media, every source of entertainment is focused on drawing us away from God. Just as we limit the things that our children see, let us also apply this to our own lives. I tell you the truth this is a battle, for I myself can gravitate toward things I ought not to see.

But it is worthy battle. We are in the zero hour, and there is much work for us to do. There are many souls that need saving, many followers of Jesus who have strayed toward the world and need reminding that the coming of the Lord is soon at hand.

Let us be like those who have come before us, walking in unity, seeing after each other. They were as little children, with a simplicity of heart.

“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:46-47 NKJV

Let us look to the God who saved us, and rejoice that we have His Spirit in us, and His word to guide us. Let us cling to Him, submitting to His headship, for He is the One who came to live a humble life, to be humiliated and murdered without cause, that we be saved for He paid the price for our sins.

It is the least that we can do, in accepting what He has said in His word, and coming to Him like little, innocent children, filled with wonder and awe. Let us look forward to that great moment, when all things have passed away and there is no more negotiation, no more obfuscation, no more need to rationalize, for all will be holy in Christ.

There will peace and abundance, for the Lord will keep us.

“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.”
Revelation 22:1-5 NKJV

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