The theme for the month is “Keeping it Simple and Sound” and we are anticipating the opportunity to hear lessons from our good brethren from the nearby congregations. When Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, he warned them of those who preached another Christ or another gospel. He stated how the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness and how their minds were being corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ (2 Cor. 11.3). What a graphic picture Paul painted by inspi-ration to demonstrate to the church the seri-ousness of the issue before them. This was not something to be taken lightly and needed immediate attention.

What is this simplicity Paul spoke of? The word literally means, “straightforwardness; sincere; single or sin-gleness; whole; clear; mental honesty or free from pretence and hypocrisy”. What a wide range of definitions used to define our term simplicity. As Paul used the word in writing to the Corinthians, he emphasized the point of being single minded or the straightfor-wardness that is in Christ. This concept is not teaching that it is simple to be in Christ but rather there is a singleness of mind or a focus upon Him and the gospel that keeps one on the straight and narrow path (Matt. 7.13-14). This shows us the importance of study and how words have meaning.

Our Saviour Jesus Christ would use this very idea in His sermon on the mount when He said these words, “the lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good [here is our word and idea of single or simple—MB], your whole body will be full of light.” (Matt. 6.22). Our aim and mission in this Christian life is to be focused or single in our minds on the will of God. Solomon summarizes life for the child of God with his words, “Fear God and keep His commandments…” (Eccl. 12.13). Our singleness of mind will lead us to having a focus on Christ and His word, to watch our lives, our teachings and look out for our brethren as well. This is the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus.

The singleness of the gospel message should encourage us to be intentional in our quest to be holy, just as our heavenly Father is holy (1 Pet. 1.15-16) and to seek separation from worldliness and sin which causes us to drown in destruction and causes pain in our lives and in the lives of others (2 Cor. 6.14-18). The word of God, when applied properly, should cause us to see the benefits of being focused, fruitful and fixed to do what is right in the sight of God and man. Friends, let’s be single minded and resist the urge of following our will and becoming double minded and therefore unstable in all our ways (James 1.8).

We must remember the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword (Heb. 4.12). Because of the precision of the sword of the Spirit, we can rely upon it to truly cut away those things that are displeasing to the Lord and cause us to go back and forth into bad decisions and sin (Eph. 6.17). When we find ourselves not reading, studying and applying the word of God daily, WE WILL find ourselves forfeiting the singleness of mind which gives us spiritual security and purpose in life. No wonder the church is commanded to study daily (Acts 17.11). No wonder we must deny ourselves daily (Luke 9.23). No wonder we are to exhort one another daily (Heb. 3.13). When we do these things, our singleness of heart towards God and His Son becomes sharper and clearer as we grow in grace (1 Pet. 2.1-2; 2 Pet. 3.18).

The simplicity in Christ is about becoming clearer in our minds and thoughts towards His will and not our own. Let us remember His commandments are not burdensome and they are for our good (1 John 5.3). With this being said, let’s all strive to live lives before our God that are pure and clean. Let’s put away secret sins as David spoke of while he was living before God (Ps. 19.12; 90.8). As a congregation, let’s encourage one another to see the seriousness of sin and how it can destroy our lives, homes and even the local congregation (Heb. 10.24). Let’s build up one another in the most holy faith (Jude 20).

In conclusion, when we have a proper fill of the word of God, it will help clean out any spiritual impurities that permeate the soul (John 17.17). Sanctification is truly through the word of God and no wonder Paul would say these words in connection to this thought, “that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word” (Eph. 5.26). Friends, there is absolutely no way to be single in mind or have mental honesty and clarity without the words of Christ dwelling in us richly (Col. 3.16). Christ said, “without Me you can do nothing” (John 15.5). It is our prayer that every member of the church sees the value of the simplicity (singlemindedness) in Christ. May we seek His will and not our own and may we strive to simply be Christians who follow Jesus.