It is That Simple
with Larry Kutzler
The Simple Ideas of Profound Truths
Mercy Over Religion
Jesus prefers mercy over any religious activity. The Pharisees had called sinners scum and wondered why Jesus was with them. However, Jesus made it clear … God is first merciful before judgement. Too often, we are quick to make an assessment about people without knowing their story. There is a time for judgement, and God will bring it when all mercy is rejected. God has two sides … mercy and judgment. He prefers mercy. How do I know this? The Cross is the ultimate definition of mercy … God so loved the world; He gave His only Son. God wants none to perish. Jesus represented mercy as He hung on the Cross for our sins, but that same Jesus will be our Judge if we reject His mercy. As Jesus proclaimed, “Show mercy over religious practice.” It is That Simple.
Never Give In
I was alone, feeling bad about some issues facing our family, and I heard this, “God doesn’t work, you are a fool, God has nothing for you, look at the mess facing you today.” It was the same ploy that Job faced, “Curse God and die.” I don’t know about you, but there has been an increasing pressure to compromise, quit, and forsake the truth as we know it. The Devil used the same tactic on Jesus in the wilderness. “Worship me, and I will give you the kingdoms of the world.” We will always be tempted, but to escape the temptation, you must resist. The Scriptures teach us, “Resist the Devil and he will flee.” Resisting for me is submitting to God, and as Winston Churchill said, “We shall never, never, never, give in.” It is That Simple.
The Second Wind
Recently, a friend and I were talking about a second wind. The second wind is primarily for those who have been around awhile in the Church. It’s the idea of rekindling renewal, reviving a passion, and reengaging in a commitment to serve the Lord. As I wrote previously on aging, it’s not about getting to simply retire, it’s about perfecting what God has developed in our life. As we age, we discover what is important, so focus on that, and rid ourself of the time wastes in our life that keep us stagnant. My friend told me, “If there was a word for the Church today, it’s to seek a second wind.” I’m reminded that God’s power never changes, it’s us who change. Perfect your experience with God … seek that second wind. It is That Simple.
Aged Out Attitudes
We cannot change our aging. When I see a person I know on Facebook, my first reaction is, “Haven’t seen them in a while, and boy are they getting old.” We all age differently, but my attitude about aging has changed. I no longer think that my meaningful life is behind me … no, it’s in front of me. Think about this for a moment. You and I have lived long enough to know what life is about, wisdom has replaced foolishness, and experience has taught us lifelong lessons. Stats say from age 15 to 80 if we go to Church, we have heard 3,400 sermons. So, all of this put together is a life well equipped to change the world. So why don’t we? Simple … our attitude has aged out, time for change. It is That Simple.
Caring by Calling
Jesus told us that when we care for others, we are caring for Him. I must admit, my preoccupation with my career has made me lonely at times. They tell us that one in four of us feel lonely. You can even be married and feel lonely, so it’s not the proximity to people that matters, but it’s the intimacy of knowing that people do care about you. One of the ways I deal with my loneliness is by making phone calls to people I haven’t spoken to in a while. Personally, it makes me feel better, it makes the person I’m calling knows I care, and in the end, I am doing it for Jesus. One new person a day … this helps me to care while keeping connected. It is That Simple.
Grooming with AI
Grooming … this is my new word lately. This is the definition that has my attention. ‘A manipulative process where a relationship of trust is developed with an emotional connection for exploitation.’ Guess what? We are all being groomed. AI is grooming us to accept and trust in its benefits. AI is the greatest shift in human history, and nothing compares to its influence. Nothing in our society will be without AI, and we are being groomed to accept it, and without it we will be lost. You might say, “But look at the benefits.” However, when everything is controlled by a computer, and you will not be able to buy or sell without giving total allegiance to it, there is a problem. I believe AI plays a part of the number 666. Revelation Chapter 13. It is That Simple.
The Decision About Hell
A friend sent me a sobering video about Hell. The video was designed to stir an emotion in me … and it did. I also know that I will forget the message and, in its place, will be my normal life. However, the reality of Hell should never be chased away by the immediate. Jesus said that Hell is a journey made by our choices … accepting everything and denying nothing. Hell is a paved by our choices … it is not a destiny. What happens after death is based upon the decisions we make in life, as well as the one decision that we failed to make. Jesus died so we would never see Hell. He is the one decision that overrides all other decisions and removes Hell from our final destination. It is That Simple.
Ask, Seek, Knock
There are many mysteries about prayer. Prayer can be answered instantly, yet at other times Heaven is silent. When there is silence, does God have a different plan? Silence might be to challenge us to be the kind of people who ask, seek, and knock to find the answers. To quit asking, you will lose the discovery of an answer. If you quit seeking, you will lose the heart of knowledge. If you stop knocking, nothing will be opened to you. The secret to prayer is all three … all three work together with God to get you the answers you are pursuing. So, the next time when Heaven is silent pursue the asking, the seeking, and the knocking … you might be surprised at how it turns out and what is discovered. It is That Simple.
Deeds Reflect Belief
Jesus talked about what you do reflects what you believe. I have a friend who occasionally builds houses for families in South American countries. His good deeds reflect the passion that he has for God, and his desire to demonstrate how practical God is by his labor of love. We tell the story of Jesus and then we demonstrate His story by good deeds. I believe both are necessary to present a case for the reality of an ever-present God. Jesus told us that our good deeds will be a shout out as a praise to our heavenly Father. There are approximately 165,000 Christian non-profits in the United States, all making a difference in people’s lives. All these organizations are doing deeds that point to the reason they exist. All to the glory of God. It is That Simple.
No Religion Required
Jesus was very direct about religious people. He said that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees, the teachers of the Law, you will never see Heaven. So, in other words, you would need to keep the Law perfectly, to go beyond the religious leaders, in order to get into the Kingdom of God. Again, the Kingdom of God is impossible for us to enter on our own merit, no matter what religious people may believe or teach, we are doomed on our own. This is why religion is dangerous, and God hates it. Religion has a tendency set up its own domain with rules and precepts that act righteous and holy but deny the power that makes it real. What makes your relationship with God real is Jesus. Period. No religion required. It is That Simple.
A Nation Designed for the People
I love this country. Yes, we have our issues … anytime there are people, there are issues. I think Independence Day pushes us beyond our issues to the reality we are Americans. We are rich, poor, old and young, and we have every known race on earth among us. They call this diversity the melting pot, and we are one of few countries that is designed for all the people. Isn’t that what makes us so unique? We were designed for people, no matter where you come from, we have a place for you at the table. That is the heart of the Independence Day celebration … the table is set for everyone. The Bible says that heaven was created for people too, and like America, they come from every tongue and nation. It is That Simple.
Superstars and the Church
Recently, Christian news outlets have been buzzing about fallen Christian leaders and musicians. Two things are often forgotten when we discuss fallen Christian leaders. First, we must protect the rights of the victims. Too often the focus is on the perpetrator and the victim is somewhere in the story. Second, we must stop making superstars out of our leaders. It’s contrary to the whole Gospel message to crown the power of celebrity on a leader. In many cases of moral failure, the people closest to the fallen leader usually knew about the indiscretions, but did nothing because of the power of celebrity. As Christians, our job is to promote the Gospel, follow one leader named Jesus, and to push back against evil. Leadership is from the bottom up … not from the top down. It is That Simple.
Worship is Not a Method
God says some outrageous things. I have always thought I should write a book about it and title it, “God is Outrageous.” How so you say? Well, God tells Israel that He hates their festivals and says He detests all their offerings. Yet, it was God who set up the festivals to honor Him, with the offerings of sacrifice to cover their sins. It was God who established all these methods of worship for His People, but now they are meaningless to Him. God has never been in the method … He lives in the praises of His People and not in the mode of worship. His methods were designed to help us live in the spirit of worship, not become the worship. Worship is an outrageous love for God, and not a method. It is That Simple.
Does God Reject Some Prayers?
Sometimes we assume things about God that are not true. For example, we think God always hears our prayers, yet Isaiah records God as saying, “I will not listen to your prayers.” So, what makes God turn away from our prayers? Jeremiah was told not to pray for God’s People because of their idolatry. I don’t think it is sin that God refuses to hear about … it is our resistance to repent and change. Repentance isn’t just about being sorry for sinful behavior … it is a commitment to turn away and never return to old behavior. Prayer honors God because it acknowledges we need Him. It signifies not only our need for Him, but it also makes us aware there is something greater than us and this world. Prayer does changes things … prayer changes us. It is That Simple.
The Cost of Forgiveness
I have spent time with folks who have a hard time forgiving others. Yet, as Christians, they know what Jesus taught about forgiveness and they know we are to forgive, just like God, with no strings attached. Jesus clarifies the qualifications for our personal forgiveness from God, which will only happen if we forgive others. So, when you think about those you can’t or won’t forgive, that is the price you are placing for your own forgiveness from God. Forgiveness was so important to God, that He was willing to spare His Son on a Cross to demonstrate that forgiveness comes with a price. The price for our forgiveness comes as we are forgiving others. The price not to forgive is paid in resentment, bitterness, and even hate. Forgiveness is a better deal. It is That Simple.
No Judgement … Ever
Did you know that the Bible teaches that there is no judgement against anyone who believes in Jesus? None! The only judgment that comes to anyone is because they do not believe in Jesus. There are so many people that feel condemned by what is preached to them about holiness. I know I did. Here is how it goes down. Jesus saves us, that means no judgement ever. Holiness is wanting to get closer to God, getting rid of stuff that smells bad to God. Holiness is not a rating system for anything … it is a desire to be a better human being and be pleasing to God. Holiness is an attribute of being a disciple of Jesus and discipleship is the onboarding into the Kingdom of God. Lastly, the Holy Spirit makes it all work. It is That Simple.
The Seriousness of Compromise
I love what Oswald Chambers says about sin. “If sin rules in me, the life of God in me will be killed.” The characteristics of the Last Days will silence sin and confuse the truth. The late David Wilkerson once said, “In the Last Days, you will not be able to distinguish good from evil, it will all blend together.” David Wilkerson’s ministry focused on exposing compromise, but today we don’t hear too much about the dangers of compromise. I can tell you that once you compromise an area in your life that you know is wrong, it will only be a matter of time until you lose interest in the things of God. Satan doesn’t need you to renounce your faith … just compromise it. Compromise will deteriorate your relationship with God. It is That Simple.
Time is Running Out
Is it ever too late for repentance? Most of us think it is never too late to repent. Yet, the Bible says that Esau sought be reconciled, but the Scripture says, “It’s too late to repent.” So, there is a possibility that repentance may not always be available, as we thought. The Five Foolish Virgins in Jesus’ Parable illustrate it. They thought they had lots of time to get more oil … but time ran out. Even after getting the oil for their lamps, the door the Five Wise Virgins entered was locked … it was too late. Simplify put, people think they have all the time in the world to get right with God. However, timing is unpredictable and time gets away from us. Get right with God today before it’s too late. It is That Simple.
Box People
In society there are two kinds of thinkers. In the box, and outside the box. Most of us use the education we were taught from the box. It is safe, it is known, it is acceptable. But what about those outside the box? There are no rules, no measurements, or predictions. They rely on the language of the gut and intuition. Most of us like the box, because we know what to expect. Those outside box face the unknown, they are the visionaries. The box people love the sound of church bells, but the out of the box people like the challenge of the mission, yards from the gates of Hell. Jesus instructs us to get out of the box and “go into all the world.”
Excuses
There is a story Jesus told about a banquet where people were invited to attend, and all the invitees gave excuses not to attend. Some had business dealings, others were investing, chasing their dream, while others were getting married. However, at the end of the day, all made excuses as to why they could not attend. Jesus used this story to illustrate that many have been invited into His Kingdom, but few choose to come. God is still inviting people and He is still getting excuses from His invites. All of us make excuses for ourselves, but there is one excuse that could cost you eternity. No matter what your life is doing, when the invitation is given, by all means, do not make an excuse.
Saltiness
Jesus said, “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?” If we, the church is like salt, what happens when we lose or change our message? Jesus said, “if you lose your saltiness, you get thrown away.” I recently read about some Christians representing a group called “Progressive Christianity.” Here in part is what they believe. “They value compassion, justice, mercy, and tolerance, often through political activism. Often Progressive Christians will refer to Jesus' sacrifice on the cross as horrific or unnecessary.” I believe we face two kinds of churches, one a true salty church, and one worthy to be discarded. The gospel is salty, it was designed to stay that way.
Circumstances
“Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God.” (Eccles 7:14) Now that is something that is not in our theology thinking today. This is one of those insightful wisdom verses that tells the prosperity gospel people that God cannot be manipulated to only prosper you. King Solomon goes on to say, “remember that nothing is certain in this life.” So, in short, God teaches us lessons in both prosperity and in the hard times, because God has created them both. Paul says, “I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” It’s not the circumstances, it is the Christ in those circumstances that matters.
Theology
Theology is important, I get that, however, some theology has become so important to people, that it has become an idol. It reminds me of how people treated the Sabbath in Jesus day: “The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath” (Mark 2:27) Sabbath was important, but it became so important it became an object of worship. Some theology is critically important, Soteriology, Pneumatology, and Eschatology, all have a place in the believer’s playbook of belief, but there is other theology that I would question. Calvinism, Supercessionism, Cessationism, Prosperity and Dominion theologies are all Biblically questionable and they have become more important than even the Lord Himself. In my latter years, the Bible is all I need, theology can get confusing.
Kindness
Annie Johnson was 101 years old when I first met her. She was physically weak, but her mind was strong. She lived through some of the most astounding events in history. World wars, inventions of the automobile, telephone, radio, tv, internet. So, I asked her what she had concluded about life in living so long. I thought I would get an answer like, “I was amazed at how advanced we had become.” Instead, what she said to me I will never forget. “I am amazed at how unkind and mean we have become to each other.” Wise words that echo’s God’s Word. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) Kindness never goes out of style.
Closets
We have seen a rash of high-profile clergy resign recently over moral failure. It is a good reminder that no one is beyond sin. One of the lessons we learn early in following Jesus is that everything is a temptation. Just because you are a successful pastor does not mean you’re beyond temptation. Given the right circumstances, and the wrong frame of mind, anyone can be seduced into sin. How about the skeletons in your closet? Everyone has a past and I am convinced all closets have skeletons. However, there is mercy for the sinner, repentance for the contrite, and the grace of God for those willing to face their closet. Remember, confession is always forgiven, and it is the best way to clean a closet.