Pastor's Perspective Articles:

April 2008: Elder Phil Steckmann
March 2008: Elder Ed Gann
February 2008: Elder Rob Wiggins
January 2008: Elder Dr. Steve Stephens
December 2007: Elder's Perspective
November 2007: Thankful for Broken Things
October 2007: God Rubs Off
September 2007: Have you ever gotten it wrong?
August 2007: Belize Journal, July '07
July 2007: What's the picture of the church?
June 2007: Making the Complex Simple
May 2007: Majesty

June 2007

Making the Complex Simple

We have all heard people who can make the simplest things sound complex. Maybe that’s because there is a part of all of us that wants someone else to be impressed with our understanding and knowledge. Almost everyone wants to be intelligent and sound smart.
God however, seems to go the other way. He takes the most amazingly complex things and speaks of them in simple understandable ways. For example, how complex was it for Him to create light, or for him to create the intricate sight system in our body to see it. Yet He just says:

“And God said, let there be light and there was light. God saw the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.” Genesis 1:3-4

What does it take to create life? Have any molecular biologists been able to duplicate that amazing feat? Yet God just says:

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139:13-16

Just exactly what takes place a conversion? How long would it take for a theologian to describe all that takes place in substitution, Imputation, atonement, propitiation, regeneration redemption forgiveness justification,and adoption? Yet, Jesus said this to Nicodemus, “In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." " How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' John 3:3-7

What is the fullest explanation of what it means to have and exercise faith? Why can children often have it in larger measure that adults yet it keeps growing throughout our life? God just says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” and “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:1,6 Why are some people very wise and some very foolish? Those who are wise can come from the same family and
upbringing than a brother or sister who is unbelievably foolish. In fact, someone who has been quite wise can look very foolish later on, in their life.
God says,“ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

Partnering with God means cooperating with the way God works. God makes complex things simple enough that even the child can understand it, yet he leaves mush of His mastery to be explored by scholars throughout their lives. The more light you need the more light God will give. The
more obedient you are to what He’s revealed, the more He will be able to reveal to you. What if we were more like God in our dealing with people? What if we committed ourselves to seek the light and the truth and then made what we received, simple enough so that anyone could understand it, use it and obey it. Now that’s the genius of God.

Copyright© Milwaukie First Baptist Church 1998-2008