The Simple Things of Life

           I recall that my Mother, when she did a lot of sewing, would use patterns that she had purchased.  She could keep using the pattern many times if she so desired.  One of the brand names was "Simplicity."  It was name that because the pattern was a basic pattern and didn't require a lot of extra details.  It was simple to use.  I also made a syrup once which was called "Simple Syrup."    It was basically sugar and water which was heated until the sugar was dissolved and could then be used in a recipe that had called for "Simple Syrup."  so, you see, there are some things in life that can be called "simple."  They are those things that are basic, do not have a lot of parts, or don't have a complex set of instructions.  They are as simple as simple can be.  I often recall the account given in the Book of Acts in regard to the Philippian Jailer who found himself at the point of ending his own life.  He asked a question to Paul and Silas.  It was a simple question with a simple answer.  Acts 16:30-31 says, " And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."  
        There is importance in what Paul responded but there is also importance in what was not said.  The requirements to achieve something sometimes has a long list of things that must be accomplished before the desired result is obtained.  If I am going to be a doctor, I have to learn about all the details of the body including the bones, muscles. organs and so on.  If I am going to be an electrical engineer, I am going to have to learn a lot about electricity and electronics.  If I am going to be an automobile mechanic, I am going to have to learn about cars, engines, transmissions, cooling systems and a lot of other things.  The question posed by the jailer, however, dealt with how to become a "saved" person.  Paul knew what the jailer was asking and so gave him the simple answer, and it was one of the most simple answers ever given in the Scriptures.  He simply had to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ..."  That answer, obviously, is too simple for most people to understand.  I recall that there was a time in my life when I had to be enrolled in a "religious education" class to understand all there was to be learned about being a Christian.  The class would run for a number of weeks and then a ceremony was held to declare us "Christians."  Funny, but Paul didn't mention that.  He also did not mention going to a seminary, monastery or completing a number of tests in order to be regarded as a Christian.  John 14:6 reminds us that there is only way to heaven and that way is the Lord Jesus  Christ.  The Jailer asked the simple question and Paul gave the simple answer.  He only needed to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ in order to be saved and thereby become a disciple or believer in Christ.  Most everyone that reads this devotion has already done that very thing but we all still have the mission to tell others about this "simple" process.  We should all desire to give the simple and direct answer that Paul gave to the Philippian Jailer.  Praise God for the simple message of salvation.