It's Not Easy, But It's Simple

By Tiwayi Mushambi

**Enjoy Simplicity In Christ! A must read!**

Throughout His ministry, Jesus not only fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, but simplified our understanding of them. He also gave us unique perspectives on the nature of God's Kingdom. Jesus Christ cut through the red tape, revealing simple truths that were obscured by tradition and grandstanding. Join author Tiwayi Mushambi as he takes a thought-provoking look at the teachings of Christ,  exploring Jesus' message to unlock new insights hidden in plain sight.
Gain a better understanding of Christian fundamentals such as:

• Prayer
• Forgiveness
• The Christian's purpose
• Repenting from sin
• The Kingdom of God
• Having faith in God
• Applying God's word in your life

Grab your copy today!!

• Language: English
• Publisher: TY
• Release date: Feb 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215691977

Book preview

Introduction

Matthew 22:37-40 English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

The Pharisees in Jesus’ time were very particular about keeping the laws of God – all six-hundred-and-thirteen of them. Yes. 613. However, the problem was that they lost sight of the true meaning of their walk with God, which was love. The law just became this long list of chores they had to do in order to be saved, and they became blind to loving God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength. That is why they were very legalistic, but without observing justice and mercy (Matthew 23:23). Without that love for God, all of the external observance of God's Commandments just becomes worthless legalism. This is what Jesus was teaching them.

Did you know that when Jesus summarized the ten commandments, all the Law and the Prophets, He was actually quoting the Old Testament? These were the exact same words that were given to Israel right after the law was given:

Deuteronomy 6:5 ...'And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.'

In other words, if you love God wholeheartedly, you cannot hold anything or anyone else in higher regard (thus upholding the first five commandments), and if you love your neighbor as yourself, you always look out for their best interests and never cause them harm. It could not get any simpler than that, but it's also easier said than done.

So many things in this world scream for our attention –the cares of this earth; the deceitfulness of its pleasures – constantly competing for the top spot in our lives that belongs to God. And, if we let them, they can completely snuff out God's voice in our hearts. On the other hand, people are incessantly imperfect, making it harder for us to love them unconditionally. Who can continue to return evil with good without burning out?

Heart, soul, mind and strength are not small pieces of ourselves that we can just offer up easily. They are the essence of who we are.  Our entire being. The Bible shows us that our heart is key:

"The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.  For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45 NIV). 

Everything we are and have, beginning with our inmost desires and all our thoughts, we must devote to God. Sounds easy, right?

There must first of all be love in one’s heart before a person can, in the strength that comes through the grace of Christ, begin to keep the teachings of God's law. Obedience without love is worthless, which is exactly what the Pharisees practiced. But where love is present, a person will automatically determine in their heart to order their life in harmony with the will of God as expressed in His commandments. Jesus says in John 14:15-2:

If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.

Obedience does not lead to love, but love does lead to obedience, and obedience is better than sacrifice. This is the essence of what Jesus was trying to teach. The Apostle Paul also says this