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Build An Ark: Simple, Pure Devotion!
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Simple, Pure Devotion!
John Maniatty
I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness;
but indeed you are bearing with me. For I am jealous for you with a godly
jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, that to Christ I might present
you as a pure virgin. I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his
craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity
of devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:1-3
Life has become very complex. Near instantaneous communication has birthed
a generation of people with more information available to them than ever
before in the history of mankind. Within moments we can have access to weather
reports from Jerusalem, stock quotes from Tokyo, basketball scores from
New York and terrorism updates from around the world. The complexity of
our lives has changed and we have changed with it.
For many, the exhilaration of these changes has given way to a desire for
a simpler life. This is not new. During the past 30 years we have seen many
examples of this. Hippies left ‘the establishment’ to look for
a simpler life, many moving to Vermont for that reason. Yuppies, burned
out on money and the fast life, are now looking for the simple pleasures.
Because of this, politicians of both denominations are once again espousing
‘family values’. Feminists, hearing the biological clock ticking
away, are once again having and raising babies. A simpler life in a more
complex world.
The New Testament tells of a man named Saul. He lived in
the fast lane of his day. His family probably was from the upper middle
class. His education was the finest available and his religious credentials
were impeccable. He valiantly debated and fought for Judaism, persecuting
the followers of Jesus. Not only was he a member of the nation of Israel,
but he was also a Roman citizen. A very complex life indeed.
Some years ago my daughter Anathea wanted to get married.
I asked all the Dad questions: “What will you do for money?”
“Where will you live?” Etc. She looked at me with stars in her
eyes. Nothing mattered-she and Brian were in love. A simple life in a
complex world.
That is the way it is when we fall in love with Jesus.
Nothing else really matters. Loving Him is what it’s all about. One
day, as Saul was on a journey to Damascus, he met Jesus. Suddenly, he
became a much simpler man. This man fell in love with Jesus Christ and
became the apostle Paul who wrote of himself and about the church, “betrothed
to one husband to Christ as a pure virgin.”
A simple life of pure devotion in a complex world. So let
it be!
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