Simplicity or Complexity?

There are many novel theological twists and currents in modern thinking these days. "What is the timing of the Lord's return?" Is the church the new, true "Israel"? Who will be here to suffer the pangs of the Great Tribulation? I am reminded of the debates in the middle ages about how many angels could dance on the head of a pin? But, all of those interesting topics tend to fade when one stands in a cemetary before the grave of a loved one who is about to be lowered into the cold dark ground.

I have come to discover that in the basic matters of life and death in our sin-battered society, the divine provision comes to us garbed in simplicity. There are, no doubt, great theological complexities that must be examined by scholars who use the Bible as a guide to truth. But, for the millions of us who are not really equipped to grapple with such theological complexities, who operate in the realm of the daily, practical stuff, the Word comes to us in a kind of simplicity that no human being can deliver. For example, 2 Cor. 5:8 says:

"We are confident,yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord."

Absent from the body, present with the Lord. That statement, in eight short words, answers what every grieving saint asks at death, "Where is my loved one now?" A true believer who exits this frail tabernacle of flesh will be immediately transported into the presence of the living Lord. And, what happens to our bodies which are deposited like shriveled seeds into the earth?

"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. " [1 Th. 4:16-17]

The Lord will descend. Saints' bodies will be raised. All living believers will be caught up with them to meet the Lord in the air. Is this concept difficult to grasp? No! The apostle set the record straight in clear and simple terms.

When I was a young man, there was an evangelist at my church who wrote a book that I still have. The name of the book is Simple Trusting Faith by W. Carl Ketcherside. I was blessed to have been taught by Carl at an early age that without faith it is impossible to please God. The writer of Hebrews says it this way:

For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. [Heb. 11:6]

As we have previously written about on this blog, the elements of faith are so simple that even a young child can grasp it. Indeed, it is those who call themselves wise who complicate the message and make it hard to understand. Jesus had some choice words for those who taught in that manner. May we always be those believers who hold to the simplicity of a simple trusting faith in the one who made and redeemed us.