Thoughts on the Way: Keep it Simple

Facing death in a Roman dungeon, Paul didn’t write theology, he wrote heart-level advice on humility, contentment, and keeping the faith alive.

Let us imagine that the Apostle Paul is sitting alone in a Roman dungeon. It’s dirty, dark, and damp. He knows that his days are numbered, and he realizes that he ought to pass along his advice to Timothy, his dear “son” in the faith before it is too late.

A kindly warden has given Paul parchment, ink, a pen, and a flickering candle, along with a promise that he will see that the letter is delivered to Timothy.

Even in prison, Paul did not feel sorry for himself, nor did he take pride in his many wounds. Simply put, he was gratified that by his example he could fill up the measure of Christ’s sufferings on the cross (Colossians 3:23). In other words, Paul would be walking in the footsteps of Christ, so that those who saw him suffering would get an idea of what their Lord Jesus had suffered earlier, when he had walked on this earth.

Paul’s letter was rather sad. He had earlier warned Timothy of the troubles soon to come, and he was now seeing the results:

Now, as for Timothy, Paul has some interesting advice. He suggests that Timothy drink a little wine, once in a while, instead of water, for the sake of his stomach. And then he tells him: “Don’t let others look down on you because you are young.” (1 Timothy 4:12).

These two bits of advice paint a picture of a timid young man, perhaps a vegetarian following a strict diet. Such a young man might be unsure of how to proceed as he tried to guide the ecclesia. Such a young man might be pushed aside and ignored by his elders. Knowing this, Paul encourages Timothy to join him in preaching the gospel.

The Apostle also warned his “sons,” that is, Titus, along with Timothy, to avoid arguments and quarrels, which we know is easier said than done:

Or, as he had previously written to Titus:

Now we are going to take a short detour away from Paul’s letters and consider one of David’s psalms. In Psalm 131:1-2, he wrote:

Once pride enters a man’s heart and is cherished there, it eventually finds expression in proud looks, which the Lord hates (Proverbs 6:17; 21:4; Psalm 18:27; 101:5). David’s calm and quiet humility was exhibited when the ark of the covenant was brought to Zion. There, David, the King of Israel, took off his outer garments of royalty and danced joyfully before the procession, as a slave might dance in the presence of his master. This humble action provoked contempt from his wife, the proud Michal. She was a daughter of Saul, and she was used to power and prestige. She thought that she knew how a king should act. So, she saw David’s spectacle as abominable in her sight, and she told David so.

David’s reply was quick and uncompromising: “David said to Michal, ‘It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.’” (2 Samuel 6:21-22).

The early life of David illustrates this peaceful and calm acceptance of God’s will, time after time. While his brothers sought the excitement and possible glory of battle, David remained behind to tend his father’s sheep. Then he was anointed by Samuel as king of Israel, after which he spent years as a fugitive, declining several opportunities to slay Saul and claim the kingdom that was rightfully his. He trusted in God, knowing that He would elevate him at the proper time.

How do these short verses from the Psalms, along with Paul’s letters, help Timothy or Titus (or us for that matter) when we are confronted with bothersome people pushing their contrary ideas?

Perhaps we are being told:

• Don’t be drawn into arguments about details and technicalities; let those who enjoy a battle of words fight among themselves if they must.
• Humble yourself before God.
• By all means, concentrate on the simplest messages in the Bible—they are the most important to the most believers.

Now, as to the simplest messages.

My brother, Wesley, was a school teacher. He would talk about his experiences in teaching and he would say: “The best way to teach children is to keep your comments on a fifth-grade level, and don’t get ahead of them.” In other words, “Keep it simple.” And again, that will also work with adults.

Dale Carnegie was a great teacher and public speaker. His best advice to speakers went something like this:

• Tell your audience what you will say.
• Then tell them.
• Then tell them what you said.
• Then sit down.

Now, the Apostle Paul did not know Dale Carnegie or Wesley Booker. But I think he knew how to deliver his message to anyone who would listen. It seems to me that in his last letters to his sons, Paul is sprinkling short statements here and there, statements easy to memorize and remember, for the benefit of his “sons” and for those who listened to them.

Let’s consider some of Paul’s simple sayings. They can help us to understand the gospel and to explain it to others.

In other words, “Jesus is one of us, and he understands us. He also talks with angels, and now he sits on God’s right hand. Isn’t that an amazing grace?”

The old man finished his letters and gave them to the warden. He prayed that they would be delivered as soon as possible. Then he lay down on his one dirty blanket and whispered, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”

George Booker,
Austin Leander Ecclesia, TX

 

1. All Scriptural references are taken from the New International Version.