To Christian Workers - Chapter 23b
The Lord loves who walk simply. (Proverbs 12:22)
Their humility, their simple trust in God, make it easier for them to turn within and follow the Lord’s Spirit. They are more qualified than most! You see, these simple believers are not accustomed to analyzing; they do not have the habit of discussing the issues of everything; and they are quick to let go of their own opinions.
Yes, they do lack a great deal of education and religious training; therefore they are freer and quicker to follow the leading of the Spirit. Other people—more gifted, better educated, trained in theology—are often cramped and even blinded by their spiritual wealth! Such a person very often offers greater resistance to the inner anointing and to the leading of the Lord’s Spirit.
The psalmist tells us,
“Unto the simple God gives the understanding of His law.”
(Psalm 119:130)
Furthermore we have been assured that God loves to give Himself to those who need Him.
“The Lord cares for the simple, I was reduced to extremity and He saved me.” (Psalm 116:6)
If you are one who has new believers in your care, be careful of preventing these children from coming to Jesus Christ. Remember that he said to His disciples: “let the children alone and do not hinder then form coming to Me; the kingdom of the heavenlies belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14) (it was the disciples attempt to prevent the children from coming to Jesus Christ that caused Him to make this statement.
It has been the habit of man throughout the ages to heal people by applying some to the outward body when, in fact, the disease s deep inside. Why do converts remain basically unchanged despite so much effort? It is because those over them have dealt only with the outward matters of their lives. There is a better way: Go straight to the heart!
Laying down rules and trying to change the outward behavior will not produce a work that will endure in the life of a Christian.
Then what is the answer? Give the new convert the key to his spirit, to the inward parts of his being! Give this secret to him first, and you will discover that his outward life will be changed naturally and easily.
Accomplishing all this is very easy. How? Simply teach a believer to seek God within his own heart. Show the new Christian that he can set his mind on Jesus Christ and return to Him whenever he has wandered away.
Furthermore show him he should do all and suffer all with a single eye to please his God, What a difference it will make. The new convert will be led to Jesus Christ; he will discover that the Lord Jesus is the source of all grace; he will see that in Him is everything we need for life and godliness.
You steward of men’s souls. I urge you to lead these young ones in Christ this very way. Why? Because this is way is Jesus Christ. It is not I, but Christ Himself urging you by His own blood that was shed for these believers:
Speak to the Heart of Jerusalem (Isaiah 40:2)
Preachers of His Word! Dispensers of His grace! Ministers of His life! You must establish His kingdom. In order to establish that kingdom, make Him Ruler over the heart.
I would emphasize again: the heart is the key. The heart alone can oppose His sovereignty. But counter-wise, in gaining the heart, the Lord’s sovereignty in the believer’s life is confessed and highly honored.
Give glory to the holiness of God, and He shall become your satisfaction (Isaiah 8:13)
Teach this simple experience, this prayer of the heart. Don’t teach methods; don’t teach some lofty way to pray. Teach the prayer of God’s Spirit, not of mans invention.
Take Note! You who teach believers to pray in elaborate forms and meaningless repetition! You actually create the major problem new Christians have. The children have been lead astray by the best of fathers. The new believer has become too conscious of his style of prayer, too concerned with how to pray. Furthermore, he has been taught a language too refined, and too lofty.
The simple way to God has been hidden.
Are you a Christian new to Christ? Go then poor child to your loving Father. Speak to Him honestly in your own words. No matter how crude and simple those words are, they are not crude and simple to Him!
It may be that your words will seem unclear and confused. It may be at times that you re so filled with love and so awestruck at His presence that you do not know how to speak. That is all right! Your Father is far more pleased with these words—words which He sees pouring out from a heart that is full of love—than He could ever be by elaborate sounding words that are dry and lifeless.
The simple, undisguised emotions of love express infinitely more to Him than the words of any language.
For some reason men try to love God by forms and rules. Can you not see it is by these very forms and rules that you have lost so much of that love?
How unnecessary it is to teach the art of loving!
The language of love is strange and unnatural to that man who does not love. Oh but it is perfectly natural to the one who loves.
And how shall you love Him?
It is amazing and delightful to see that it is the simplest Christians who often progress farthest in an inner relationship with Jesus Christ! Why? Because the Spirit of God simply does not need our tapestry!
The simplest can know Him, and in the deepest way, with no help from rituals or forms or theological instruction! When it pleases Him, He turns factory workers into Prophets! No, He has not turned man away from the inner temple of prayer. The reverse! He has thrown wide open those gates that all may come in!
Whoever is simple.
Let him turn in here.
Whoever lacks understanding,
Come.
Eat of my food
And drink the wine I have mixed.
(Proverbs 9:4-5)
The Lord Jesus thanked the Father for having “hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and revealing them to babes.” (Matthew 11:25)
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