Do you ever notice how people complicate things? Sometimes, we feel smarter or more sophisticated when we make something complicated. For instance, coffee shops used to offer two choices: black or with cream and sugar. But now, they give us endless options like syrups, types of milk, and country of origin for our beans. It seems like every aspect of life becomes more elaborate, even our religion. Should our faith become more complicated as well of should we keep it simple?
A Simple Faith
As I reflected on the simplicity of faith, a deep sense of gratitude welled up within me, humbling my heart and bringing tears to my eyes. In the presence of God’s grace, a profound sense of peace washed over me, soothing my weary soul and filling me with a renewed sense of hope. In this moment of contemplation, I knew I was on the right path.
We are not alone in struggling to keep our faith simple. The Apostle Paul wrote letters to different churches, reminding them to avoid complicating the faith. In certain New Testament churches, they insisted Gentiles need circumcision or to follow Jewish dietary laws to join the congregation, even though Christ did not require these actions. These early Christians sought to show their superiority in knowledge of the faith and they took this simple faith and added rules and regulations to assert dominance over new converts.
Ways to a Simple Faith
Going back to the ancient church, we find 5 statements in the original Latin that our forefathers of faith used to explain a simple faith. These 5 Latin statements summarize the core beliefs of the Protestant church, so let’s look at them:
Solus Christus
Solus Christus–Christ alone. The best place to start is that we believe there is only one God. Granted, our God is a triune God with three parts however, He is still only one God. Several Bible verses support this statement:
- 1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV): “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.”
- Ephesians 4:6 (NIV): “one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”
- Isaiah 46:9 (NIV): “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.”
Soli Deo Gloria
Soli Deo Gloria–To the glory of God alone. The purpose of our Christian life is to give all the glory to God. God alone provides for everything we need, and we must use those things to glorify Him. Without God, we are nothing. Here are some Bible verses to show:
- 1 Peter 4:11 (NIV): “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things, God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV): “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
- 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NIV): “for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
Sola Gratia
Sola Gratia–by Grace alone. Our faith comes through the Grace of God only. We deserve nothing that the Lord provides, and we can never do enough to earn His love. Grace sent Jesus to die on a cross for our sins and that same grace gives us eternal life with our Heavenly Father. Scriptures that teach us about grace:
- Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV): “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
- Romans 3:23-24 (NIV): “23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.”
- Ephesians 4:7 (NIV): “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”
Sola Fide
Sola Fide–through faith alone. The only way to God is through faith and without it, He will not know us. We can find this referenced in these verses:
- Galatians 3:11 (NIV): “Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because the righteous will live by faith.”
- Hebrews 11:6 (NIV): “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
- Romans 5:1 (NIV): “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Sola Scriptura
Sola Scriptura–through scripture alone. The Bible is the word of God and within its pages is everything we need to live a life of faith that is pleasing to God. The Bible is the divine revelation of God. We see these scriptures to support this idea:
- 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV): “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.”
- Hebrew 4:12 (NIV): “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
- Matthew 24:35 (NIV): “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
Final Thoughts on Simple Faith
God intended our faith to be simple, and we can find beauty in its simplicity. All God requires is faith in Him. It really is that simple. Believe in one true God. Do everything for His glory. Understand that His Grace is an undeserved gift and the only way to God is through faith in Him. He gives us the Bible as a manual for living out our faith.
Simple Prayer
Dearest Father, open my eyes, not to see the world more clearly, but to see You. Open my eyes to see you working around me and in me because nothing happens by accident. You direct every day of my life. Allow me to see your hand in the ordinary events and help me trust in what I cannot see and believe in Your unseen presence. Amen.
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Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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