It Really is that Simple

Have you noticed how we complicate simple things? The life Jesus calls us to is straightforward – treat others well and live your best life – enjoy My creation –  let everything else roll off you like water off a duck’s back. Okay, Jesus might not have referenced a duck, but the Bible is clear that we are not to worry about our lives (Matt. 6:34, English Standard Version). We tend to complicate life with our agenda. Pride gets in the way, and we let our ego take over, afraid someone will take advantage of us as we try to control things only God should control.

In the scheme of things, does it matter? If we are doing our part to make this a better place to live, loving others, and being the hands and feet of Jesus to the best of our ability – isn’t that all that matters in the end if we want to hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:23, Emphasis added).

Jesus has our backs. Even if someone doesn’t have our best interests in mind, we can live with a good conscience and have peace of mind when we are focused on Christ and doing our best to treat everyone with love and kindness – seeing everyone as someone made in the image of God (Gen. 1:27).

Jesus taught and modeled how to treat people. He said we must love our enemies and pray for those who torment us (Matt. 5:43-44). That is the opposite of what we want to do, but we are called to a higher standard as Christians.

Paul talks about this in various locations throughout the New Testament. As we are one in Christ, old divisions and wrongful attitudes of superiority and inferiority are eliminated (Gal. 3 28). The law revealed people’s sinfulness and need for a Savior and served as a guardian until Christ came. Life under the law was slavery, while life in Christ offers freedom (Gal. 3:19-24).

Our love for Christ and gratefulness for our freedom drive our obedience as Christians, and we want to do what is right in His sight. Furthermore, we are called to love one another with brotherly affection and outdo each other in showing honor (Rom. 12:10). Romans 12:9-21 provides the marks of a faithful Christian, including overcoming evil with good, never taking vengeance into our own hands.

It all boils down to one simple phrase – love God, love people. It’s that simple.

Let’s do our part to be kind and see what happens.