Keep It Simple

Posted:  April 15th, 2012 (9:43am)

There are three main components to our being.  The first is our thoughts, the second is our words, and the third is our actions.  The most important of the three is our thoughts.  They have the power to shape the man, the woman or the child.  The Bible says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”  Proverbs 23:7   So guarding the thoughts is a primary Christian duty.  When we allow negativity, discouragement, or bitterness, to run free in our heads it will not only drag us down, but the people around us as well, because it won’t be long before what we are thinking, we are talking.  Jesus himself said,  ”Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45.

There is an old adage that says “You cannot, not tell your story.”  Think about it.  It’s a double negative.  It is impossible to keep what is in your heart from spilling out.  So I ask you, what is in your heart?  What do you love to think of and what do you love to talk about.  Is there a root a bitterness that is polluting the well spring of life?  Or is there joy in spite of suffering, in spite of difficulty and disappointment?

I read this morning from the book Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing.  It was the section on the golden rule.  I’d like to share a few of the thoughts with you. “When those who profess the name of Christ shall practice the principles of the golden rule, the same power will attend the gospel as in apostolic times.” MB 137.2   This seems pretty simple to me.  At least it is simple to understand.  I’d like that kind of fragrance and power for our church.  I can’t choose it for you, but I can choose it for myself.  That’s what Jesus is asking from all of us.

So don’t miss the chance today to take the next step.  Keep it simple. Guard your heart.  Just ask yourself what you would like done to you, said about you, and then you’ll know how to relate to your husband, your wife, your child, even your boss or your teacher.  The golden rule is the “one comprehensive principle covering all the relations of human fellowship.” MB134.   So as you can see, you don’t need to have gone to the seminary to figure out Christianity.  You just need to grab the simplest of all loving concepts, and begin applying it.   One step will lead to another. And won’t be long until your life has new power.  It will be the power of love.  Let’s keep it simple and let’s keep going to the kingdom together.