It is That Simple
with Larry Kutzler
The Simple Ideas of Profound Truths
Self-Awareness is Both Knowing and Doing
Recently, I went to a conference where the topic of being self-aware came up repeatedly. They cited that most leaders say they are self-aware, but research says that they are not. They tell us that 86% of those leaders questioned say they have a good handle on being self-aware, but the findings indicate only 17% really understood self-awareness. However, being self-aware has two parts … one is to know self, and the other is to know purpose. The Apostle Paul said that purpose is found in planting and in watering. It doesn’t matter which one you do because it all works together as God brings the harvest. Self-awareness in purpose begins with the understanding that we were created for something more than what most of us experience. That something more? Putting God first in who you are and what you do. It is That Simple.
Words Matter
Jesus said, “And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.” That word ‘idle’ means worthless, slanderous, boastful, and harmful to others. Jesus was telling us that even our words, God will hold us accountable. The f-word is an idle word and will be judged because it fits all the categories in the context of how Jesus used it. Words teach people cultural norms and concepts, that influence people to do good or evil. Jesus said that if you influence a child to sin, you would be better off to have cement shoes (millstone) and thrown into the sea. Accountability is often lacking in our world, but it’s not in God’s World. Words matter, as a newsman once said, “At the end of everything, God keeps the books.” It is That Simple.
The Pursuit of the Best
When people ask me what I do, I usually respond with, “I’m a retired pastor.” Usually, their response is, “Oh really?” Their attitude feels disappointing to me. However, I am more than just a preacher … here is why. I purpose my life to love my wife, to have the best friendships, and to discover the best ideas. I also read the best materials on being a better human, and I love to honor people. I don’t throw stones at anyone, and I wear Lululemon brand clothes. In all my pursuits of finding the best, here is the ultimate … I pursue the art of dealing with death. The best antidote to dying is the message of Jesus Christ, there is no comparison … period. My pursuits do define me … I am much more than a preacher … just for the record! It is That Simple.
Conversations
Many conversations produce little meaning and are usually self-promoting. Also, technology has made us less effective in personal communication. Often, a simple text is preferred over a phone call because it will protect our time against conversations that waste time. Our conversations can resemble bullet points rather than relational exchanges of caring friendships. Do we have people in our lives who care enough about exploring meaning and purposeful conversations? I realize not everyone has an interest in going deeper beyond the text message, because it may be too threatening in exposing something we do not want to expose. Yet, part of our societal sickness is to keep things hidden. The Bible teaches us to have confessional friendships, releasing our lives from the darkness and into the light. Jesus said, “Out of the heart, the mouth speaks.” It is That Simple.
Finishing Well
God does not care about where you came from … He is concerned about where you are going. Finishing your life well with all this world can provide, means nothing. When death arrives, you lose it all. Elon Musk the richest man in the world, will lose everything at death. So, is it wise to live for the temporary? King Solomon says, “If you make a name for yourself in this world, it is like chasing the wind, and means nothing.” You and your contributions will be forgotten. However, if God knows your name, and it is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, you have gained an innumerable benefit that far surpasses anything you sacrificed your life for in this life. Death is the great equalizer, but Jesus promises life everlasting … it’s your choice and your future … choose well. It is That Simple.
Soft Christianity
Bible Prophecy speaks about the Great Falling Away from the faith, and it might be happening before our very eyes. Soft Christianity is the early contribution to what the Apostle Paul describes in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. Soft Christianity does not activate the gifts of the Holy Spirit and does not pray much, but complains a lot. It allows more of the culture into the Church than it should. Soft Christianity doesn’t separate or stand against the evil in our day … it tolerates it by remaining silent and neutral on issues of evil. Soft Christianity takes the name of Christ but denies the power of the Holy Spirit to transform them to be more like Christ. Soft Christianity will feed the needs of the flesh more than it does in strengthening the Soul. Soft Christianity will not keep anyone from falling away. It is That Simple.
Death Is Not Final
Recently, I have been writing about the Soul because I think it is important to understand how this eternal part of our being operates. Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” To me that is clear … nothing this world can do to you is significant compared to what happens after death. The Soul is eternal … this is what most people forget or don’t know. Some of you reading this, are unaware of the ramifications of death. You know you will die, because everyone does, but you are foolish to think that death is final. Think again! Your Soul will live forever in Heaven or hell … depending on what you do with Jesus. It is That Simple.
The Soul
When God created us, He formed us from the dust of the ground, breathed into us, and we became a living being. The dust is our physical body … which will go back to the dust from which it was created. However, it was the breath of God that brought us to life … it was the birth of the Soul. The Soul is the part of us that never dies … it is eternal. Jesus mentioned it when He asked, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Everything in this life is temporary and lost at death, so as Jesus asked, does this life have anything worth the value of an eternal Soul? The Gospel of Jesus Christ keeps your eternal Soul from being lost for eternity. It is That Simple.
Those Dreaded Commercials
One of my irritations these days, are all the commercials we endure … they are everywhere. Even in Church, it’s commercial after commercial for events, activities, or opportunities … all zeroing in on my time and my attention. I know, it’s how the Church gets my attention for what they want from me, which is my attendance and participation. I am so glad that in the 66 Books of the Bible, there are no commercials. Just think, after each Book of the Bible, if the author took some time to advertise something about himself, you know, a commercial promoting something. The editor and main contributor of the Bible, the Holy Spirit, wouldn’t allow it. Thank you, Holy Spirit! I’m so glad we can read through the whole Bible without a commercial break to promote something other than God. It is That Simple.
God's Character is Redemption
Satan is described as an accuser. He accused Job of only being faithful because God gave Him stuff. In the Book of Revelation, Satan accuses us before God, day and night, but it is in Zechariah 3 that God responds to him, “I reject your accusations.” Satan was accusing the High Priest, but God said, “This priest is like a burning stick that was snatched from the fire.” This is how God sees us … we are all like burning sticks snatched from the fire because of Christ. God’s Character is based upon Redemption, and as He looks at His creation, He sees sticks in the fire of sin, and His reaction is to snatch them from the flame. God is a Redeemer … that is why Jesus came, not to condemn the world, but to save it. It is That Simple.