Christianity is too simple

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For me to be continually writing and speaking, the Lord must consistently speak to my heart about issues in my own life.  I used to think that it was so easy for Paul to write these powerful instructions to other believers, but I see now that if Paul had to write these instructions to others the Lord must have already addressed the matter with him.  The Lord is constantly breaking my heart and putting it back together again, a little stronger each time. Today He broke my heart again and He is putting it all back together again in His own way.

John 14:15 reads, "If you love me, keep my commands."  I think that is where I get lost.  I think about the ministry events, the blogs, the speaking engagements, the sermon topics and all the other nonsense.  I forget that Christianity is that simple.  If I love Jesus, obey Him.  When I do this I experience His life and His peace.  When I do not do this, I experience the wages of sin (death is minimum sin wage).

So many believers have overcomplicated Christianity.  Some of us feel so passionate about negotiable issues of the Scripture that we forget that Jesus desires obedience.  The whole of His promises depend upon this matter.  He tells us that if we are weary and heavy-laden that He will give us a rest (Matthew 11:28).  In fact, right before Jesus tells us to obey Him, He says that whatever we ask for in His Name He'll do it (John 14:13).  He is so willing to do what we ask, He so desires to us to see a fullness of life (John 10:1), but how can He do this if we do not do what He commands?

Listen, obedience comes with risk.  We do not know how the other person will react.  We do not know what  will happen to our jobs if we dedicate ourselves to His service.  What if we lose money?  What if we fail?  What if no one listens?  What if we have to this alone?  What if we break the ties to those who the Lord has told us to leave behind?  What would happen if a person stopped partaking in activities that give even the image of sin?  "You mean, I can't do ________?"  All these what if questions paralyze us.  The American church is paralyzed by "what if?"  Satan stands back and laughs, he taunts us, he pokes at us.  Go to pray and  he'll whisper in your ear about your sin.  He'll do all he can to use your own works and words against you.

We have victory when we trust in Jesus, remembering that we are not to fear because He has overcome the world (John 16:33).  And we have victory when we obey Him.  The Lord is waiting to bless His people, He's preparing to open the floodgates of heaven and let it rain.  He is waiting on His people to be His people.  Blessed be the Name of the Lord.  Let everything that has breath praise His holy Name.

Jesus, thank You for loving us first.  Your story is the only true story I know.