“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” 1 Corinthians 13:11
In Paul’s letter to the Corinthian believers, he wrote concerning children and men, “…Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.” (1 Cor. 14:20) What is Paul speaking of here? Is he belittling children because of their lack of understanding? No, but he is elevating the matter and importance of “understanding,” or wisdom. He is also speaking of the deliberate choice in life of leaving “childish things,” to embrace that which belongs to true manhood, and wisdom. Is Paul then belittling, or passing to the side of the matter of simplicity, for the “greater” apprehension of truth? No. On the contrary. When Paul writes concerning the laying of the foundation of life, (… and he makes it clear that the only valid foundation is Jesus Christ), he writes of that which is essential to life. He speaks simply and straightforwardly concerning the great truths governing the existence of this foundation, but also, in the appropriation of it. In another passage, he goes on to speak of “…the simplicity that is in Christ.” (2 Cor. 11:3) In his treatment of this matter, it is in the context of the battle that exists for the mind, whether it will be thinking the truth, and the thoughts of God, or those of sinful men, and the evil one. Why does Paul speak of being men in understanding in this warfare, and at the same time speak of the essential of realizing and grasping the simplicity that is in Christ? It is because, “…if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” (1 Cor. 14:8) In other words, if the foundation that is Jesus Christ is to be laid hold of, grasped, and truly built upon, there must be clarity and conciseness in the apprehension of the truths that are in Christ. These truths are eternal, and possess great power to change lives and nations. But they are to be approached as a child would respond to Christ, in the simplicity of trust, grasping them by simple, whole-hearted, honest faith. The foundation of Jesus Christ is revealed to men by divine, eternal truths, individual truths, and their application to the life of the believer. To deviate from the clear, simple approach to Christ to learn these truths, and to incorporate them into the life, believing Christ according to them, is to risk not building upon the true foundation. There is a simplicity that is in Christ, in one’s approach to Him, but also, in the very truths that He reveals to the heart. Truth is not difficult; we are difficult. How then are we to be true men of faith, and understanding, not moved or affected by every wind of “doctrine,” or teaching from men? It all begins in the quiet place of God’s presence, with open Bible before us, there trusting Him to reveal Himself through His words.
What made the author of Psalm One, a man of faith? It was first by his conviction to refuse to walk, live, and respond to the counsel of worldly men, as opposed to the eternal God revealed in the Scriptures. The Psalmist would, “…delight in the law of the Lord,” and in “His law…meditate day and night.” Here is a man who is trusting God to fix his feet firmly upon the rock of the foundation of Jesus Christ. Moses lived by the revealed word of God to him. Joshua meditated upon the law of God, it not departing from his mouth. Paul instructed Timothy to study to show himself approved unto God rightly dividing the word of truth. To do this, he had to mediate in the word, being absorbed by the Christ of that word. Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, made a single solitary and SIMPLE decision, to hear the word of the Lord at the expense of every preoccupation and distraction.
Dear Father, Grant us Thy simplicity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.