KISS (Keep It Simple Saints)

Yeah, I Christianized the acrostic a little. Most of us have heard of the acrostic KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid), so my modified version is a little less offensive.

Human beings can complicate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Sometimes we just need to get two pieces of white bread, smear some PB&J on it and go with it.

Church folks form committees to complicate things. We have convocations, conferences, and seminars so we can take copious notes that will collect dust on our bookcases. There are no clear statistics, but I would venture to say that fifty percent of books purchased at a meeting are never opened and perhaps only ten percent are completely read.

The Jewish leaders in biblical times had expounded on the Pentateuch (first five books in the Bible) and compiled their interpretation and tradition which became authoritative in their religious practice. Jesus countered their traditions as actually being against the heart of the Law. For a good example you can read Matthew 15:3-6 (NKJV), and in that He said, “Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition” (v. 6b).

One of the greatest simplification of the commandments came from Jesus when He declared in Matthew 22:37-40 (NKJV),
(37) Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
(38) This is the first and great commandment.
(39) And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
(40) On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Did you catch Jesus using the KISS method? He basically said, “Love God and love your neighbor” (my paraphrase) and everything else is capsulated in those two. It is simply said but difficult to do.

We scurry around to do some awesome and complex ministry when we do not do the simple things of loving God and loving our neighbor. If love is not at the heart of who we are and what we do, we are just clanging cymbals and we are nothing (see 1 Corinthians 13).

Our present world is upside down. Most of society ills would dissolve in a few years if we only loved God and loved our neighbor. Of course, that is too simple of a solution for a Harvard or Yale graduate. It wasn’t too simple for Jesus, but the world didn’t appreciate His ideas anyway. I guess they still hate His solutions.

Oh well! Some may accuse me of being a simpleton. That’s okay. I have staked my claim in Jesus. My intention is to live and teach others to live as Jesus commanded. Love God and love your neighbor! Keep It Simple Saints!

KISS, Keep It Simple Saints! The world is on a slippery slope to destruction via a complicated system. We have a better plan with a much better destination. Just keep your hearts on Jesus and KISS!

Yours on the Journey,

Harry L. Whitt