In the early 1960’s the U.S. Navy instituted a new operational principle to aid and assist in the efficiency of developmental procedures. The program? K.I.S.S., which stands for "Keep It Simple Stupid." I first learned of and studied this management strategy while in college and it hit me like a left hook from an angry Mike Tyson. The idea that many problems, obstacles and organizational disputes can be solved by only embracing simplicity. But in order to consider the KISS principle, you must first carefully consider a vital component for it’s creation and construction. Before you can make something simple, it has to be the opposite of simple…complicated. It is in this line of logic that a basic component of human nature resides. We as humans have a very special knack for making simple things complicated.
Want some examples? God called Moses up to the summit of Mount Sinai and delivered to him 10 simple, basic commandments for all humanity. Within a few hundred years, man had grown this list of 10 laws to a staggering and unattainable 613 laws. It’s apparent the Sadducees and Pharisees that created these laws did not practice KISS. In our modern day era, what about the IRS and the tax system we implement today? What started as a simple tax of 3% on annual incomes of over $800 to support the Civil War effort, has grown today into a endless conglomeration of forms, loopholes and rabbit trails that require CPA's and attorneys to navigate. Once again, humans show their skill to complicate, not simplify their environment.
But why? Why do we humans have this inherent aptitude to take something simple and complicate it? That’s a great question and one for ad nauseum discussion another day, but what I do know is that I think the US Navy did not develop the KISS principle at all. I think it’s very clear who did…Almighty God did.
All throughout God’s Word you see the beauty and elegance of simplicity. Starting way back in Genesis chapter 1, you see God undergo the single most complicated physical process that has ever been undertaken, the creation of the universe. And He does it in one chapter only using the power and glory of His voice. God takes the most complicated process and keeps it simple. What about the creation of man? God saw the need for man to work the ground and from the dust of this very ground, He simply “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.” God creates human life in 8 words. Beautiful simplicity by God.
Flash forward all the way through the Old Testament to the New Testament and look at the Glory of Salvation that God created to save the same man He created in Genesis. For anyone on this planet to claim the eternal Salvation of Jesus Christ is yet another perfect example of God keeping it simple. First, realize that you have sinned against God and this sin separates you from the perfection of God. Second, believe that what Jesus Christ did upon the Cross is sufficient to save you from your sins. Third, ask Jesus into your heart to be your Lord and save you. Done. Folks, God even designed perfect simplicity into His greatest gift to humans, Salvation through His only Son, Jesus Christ.
We see yet another grand example of God’s simplicity today in Joshua chapter 22. You see, once you have claimed the Salvation of Jesus, your work is not done, it is just beginning. Your new life with Jesus gives birth to new purpose, new reason and a new goal. And just what are these? For that answer let’s go to God’s Word and see exactly what God commands us in the ways of following Him. And here, you will see yet once again, that God has made it simple for us. You will see in these verses, the simplicity of serving God.
“Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Joshua 22:5
Joshua delivers these simple yet powerful instructions to the Eastern tribes as they return back across the Jordan to their land. A simple yet powerful reminder of how they are to serve to the Lord. Within this simple verse, lies for us today, the same message. Let’s look at 3 simple instructions God gives us today to serve Him.
1) “Love the Lord your God.” Notice whose God this is you are to love…yours. If you have called on Jesus, He is your personal Savior. We as Christians do not serve some distant, celestial God that is dead. We serve a risen Savior that is real, very present, and very near to those that call on Him. And how are you to respond to the personal presence of Jesus? Love Him. With all of you heart, soul, mind and strength. (Luke 10:27) True love, real love, deep love, will change the way you live. We love Jesus because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19) And He simply asks that we reciprocate this love by loving Him the way that He loves us. As we do, a love relationship begins that will fill your life with joy, peace, freedom, purpose and goodness. Simply love your Lord.
2) “Walk in all his ways and keep his commandments.” Folks, there is a right way and a wrong way for everything in life. Do you know the right way for everything that you will ever encounter in this life? God does. And to get those answers, all you have to do is read, that’s why He gave us His Holy Word. It guides us, protects us, gives us wisdom, gives us purpose, and allows us a close and personal glimpse of the perfect example of the life of Jesus. If you walk in the ways of God and in obedience follow all of His commands, you will discover a life that is full of the abundance that Jesus promises. (John 10:10) This is the life that Jesus desires for you. To claim this life, simply follow the ways of God.
3) “Cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” If you were drowning and I threw you a life preserver, how would you hold it? Would you hold it loosely or grip it with all your might? Friends, how are you holding onto Jesus today? Are you casually holding onto Him or are you clinging to Him as the life preserver He is? As you cling to Him, He gives His children a simple, clear purpose…serve Him. We humans greatly complicate the purpose of life, but God makes it very simple. Love God, love others and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. I’ve heard it said that you are to preach the gospel of Jesus everywhere you go, and if necessary…use words. You see, your life, your actions, your speech, your smile, your eyes, all speak of King Jesus. What do they say? The way you serve others today will be the biggest sermon you could ever preach. Whatever gifts God has given you, use them today to serve the world around you. (1 Peter 4:10) And in doing this, you will discover the simple plan God has for you...to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
Today, don’t let the world or your own mind complicate the simple instructions God has given you. Love God, walk in His ways, and serve Him by serving and loving others and telling of Jesus. In doing these simple steps, the Holy Spirit will be alive and active in you and the light of Christ will illuminate the world around you like a beacon piercing a dark sky.
Keep it simple as you follow Christ today.
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