Holy Simplicity

Holy Simplicity

God’s power is revealed through simplicity, because simplicity is blind in its assurance of faith; it lives in God’s thoughts without thinking of itself. It knows that everything outside of God’s thoughts is folly; therefore everything outside of true simplicity is also folly. Simplicity possesses a conquering spirit, a drawing power, openness. Simplicity is not reserved and cautious, because it is certain. It never says anything without full clarity in a matter; it never defends the truth, but it is always willing to explain it. Simplicity exists in the depths of God. That is its abode. It never speaks with amazement about deep thoughts, because to simplicity deep thoughts are natural and straightforward; simplicity lives in them. When deep things are one’s natural element, they are no longer deep. Only those who live more on the surface are always amazed over deep thoughts. Simplicity is characterized by an unshakable rest; it lives in God’s presence and has received from His rest. The motions of true simplicity are not very noticeable, yet their effects are tremendous because they touch the foundations, the center of gravity. Simplicity speaks only when necessary; when it is not necessary, it knows that silence speaks better than words. True simplicity is not always the cause of pleasant feelings in others; but those feelings are always profitable. Its openness is its strength; whatever is open is perfect; whatever is shut up hides folly. Because simplicity is pure, it is open, since openness does not need a cover. Simplicity and purity cannot be separated.

Simplicity is manifest both before God and before man. Its inner being is always open before God; because it always stands before Him, it has the effect of being open to people. This openness is God’s purity compressed into the soul of man. An impure person covers himself; he does not like to see his works come into the light for just anyone. The works of simplicity can bear the light because they are done in God. The impure person receives honor for his works in order to cover himself. The one who seeks honor and the one who receives honor covers his impurity with deception.

O holy simplicity, you who put death between yourself and all impurity! Your tents are the tents of prosperity and the habitations of peace. Blessed is the one who has found you.

Simplicity’s speech is simple and straightforward to men of understanding because to them the purest speech is easiest to understand. But for those who lack understanding, it is dark because their eyes are impure; its radiant purity blinds their eyes even more, and they are amazed over it. It is a riddle to them; its light judges their impurity and causes them either to become furious or to bow down in the dust before the Lord’s feet.

From where does holy simplicity receive its name? It receives it from the very source of that great fundamental truth, Jesus Christ. There the thousands of life’s small thoughts are gathered into one great thought, because that one great, fundamental truth has the solution to the thousands of small thoughts. Multiplicity melts into unity, into simplicity. Therefore it is so exalted, so simple and straightforward. This is where its power is hidden. Where is the way to it? The way is the way of sacrifice in the steps of the Lamb.