Over-Complicating Life?

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. (Titus 2:11-14 NLT)

Instruction is given because there is benefit in following it. As I came through High School, they offered several courses that were designed to do more than offer 'academic achievement'. Home Economics taught us to sew simple garments and make appetizing meals. Typing classes prepared us for career choices that utilized the skill, making us more proficient at recording things on those things called typewriters. Driver's Education prepared us for the road, making us aware of the dangers and requirements of being a driver on city streets and highways. Is it any less important to learn the 'skills' and 'lessons' taught by study in his Word?

Those lessons actually prepare us for life's challenges in much the same way the 'practical' education of those High School classes did. Sometimes people approach the Word of God as though it only taught the 'spiritual' lessons of life, not realizing there are a lot of practical lessons taught. These lessons are designed to help us live well together, emphasizing the importance of making allowances for each other's individual development. They also teach us to avoid 'hazards' that can take both our time and attention away from the things God plans for us, such as not coveting what our neighbor has or seeking fame and fortune at the expense of everything else.

Live in this world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God. Three very important 'instructions' for living in an ungodly, messed up, and sometimes pretty confusing world. We need his wisdom - we get it from his Word. We require a change of heart - we find that in spending time listening to his voice and responding in obedience to what he instructs. We cannot serve two masters - so we choose him above all else, even when those other voices clamor for our attention all the time. Totally committed to doing good deeds - not because we occasionally choose to do right, but because we hunger and thirst after right living.

These life lessons aren't just spiritual. They may begin there, but they carry so many blessings in our physical, emotional, relational, and 'practical' life. We might think God makes it hard to be godly, but in truth, he gives us all we need. We just over-complicate it! Just sayin!