Simplicity | simply enjoy
Series: Simple. Quiet. Present. | Bible text: Galatians 5:24
Simplicity is not an end in itself, but helps us to honour God with our whole lives and to find our deepest longings in him. We may enjoy the things God has created, but they can never provide the fulfilment for which we long – this we find in God alone. Galatians 5 illustrates the difference between a life governed by our own desires and a life shaped by the Holy Spirit. When Christ is at the centre, we can freely enjoy the things of this world without setting our hearts on them.
We come now to the final sermon in the ‘Simplicity’ series. It is important to note that this is not about simplicity for its own sake, but rather that it is a means of honouring God with our whole lives. It is an expression of an inner reality which is then manifested outwardly in simplicity. The opposite of this is not complexity, but a shallow, superficial life. Once again today, you have the opportunity to leave a comment on YouTube, which we’ll be happy to explore in more detail during a Q&A session.
Called to Freedom
Followers of Jesus do not choose a life of simplicity out of compulsion; rather, they are free to choose whatever they wish. «You are called, dear friends, to live in freedom – not the freedom to give in to your sinful inclinations, but the freedom to serve one another in love» (Galatians 5:1 ZB). Here, ‘sinful inclinations’ refer to all the things I would like to put in God’s place in order to give myself fulfilment and security. With regard to the theme of simplicity, followers of Jesus should take pleasure in what God has given them. «[…] Instead, they should place their trust in the living God, who gives us everything we need in abundance, so that we may rejoice in it and enjoy it» (1 Timothy 6:17 NLB). This, in turn, leads to gratitude, which is fitting for today’s Day of Thanksgiving, Repentance and Prayer.
But how, then, should we deal with these things in our freedom, so that we may enjoy them without becoming attached to them? Augustine, a Church Father from the 4th/5th century, distinguished between two things here, which I would like to introduce. He distinguished between «uti» and «frui». This is always in relation to the love I have for something.
«uti» refers to the love of using. I make use of something because I need it to live. It is therefore relative, that is, directed towards something. I need things in relation to God, as a means to an end. I do not misuse something, but I direct it towards a goal.
«frui» means absolute love. It is the love of savouring. It means savouring something because it offers true fulfilment. However, this enjoyment should never be sought in created, temporary things, but only in the eternal Creator. This is the object of our longing. And there is only one true object of «frui» – God Himself.
So if finite, created things become my «frui», this leads to a life lived according to the flesh. The tragedy of it is that only God could satisfy my longing for fulfilment, yet I do not seek Him. Any pursuit of pleasure eventually becomes perverted and stands in opposition to God. More on this in the next point of the sermon. From now on, I shall try to speak of «taking delight» rather than «uti».
As a follower of Jesus, how do I deal with my freedom? Consciously taking pleasure in something can help me resist the urge to turn «uti» into «frui». How can I take pleasure in something without needing it? What do I need to feel good? One way might be to go without it for 48 hours. If, after just 24 hours, you feel restless, nervous and in a bad mood, then this habit has addictive tendencies. If you miss something but remain productive, then it is a habit that brings you joy.
When people are aware of their «frui», it radically changes the way they relate to everything else. Then, followers of Jesus can use things with ease, take pleasure in them, and also let them go again. For they know that true enjoyment is to be found in God. Any earthly pleasure can be taken from you – and ultimately will be taken from you! If I practise simplicity in this area, it can help me not to confuse «uti» and «frui». It helps me to take delight in finite things and to enjoy God.
Our rebellious nature
In the Scripture reading, we heard Galatians 5:13–26. I would now like to explore this further in the next two points. Paul distinguishes between a life lived according to the sinful nature and one lived in the Holy Spirit. The sinful nature is also referred to as «living according to the flesh». He makes it clear that this is an earthly existence, driven by a desire to «enjoy» created things. The flesh does not change, regardless of whether someone follows Jesus or not. The flesh drives us humans to think of ourselves. The list, which is primarily an enumeration of what happens when people make things of «uti» into «frui», makes no subjective statement! Anyone whose life is characterised by these things will not inherit the Kingdom of God! For they make something created a «frui» and seek the gratification of pleasure, instead of making God a ‘frui’. That is the ultimate and sole goal of my pleasure, which is driven by love.
The problem with us humans is that we seek pleasure so fervently, but usually seek it in worldly things. So we rush from one supposed pleasure to the next, without realising that we are turning «uti» into «frui». «Drugs and alcohol aren’t my problem. Reality is my problem. For me, drugs and alcohol are the solution to filling the void inside me.» (Russell Brand). Paul calls the result of such a quest the work of the sinful nature, the flesh. These are easy to spot. They are loud, boisterous and disruptive. Do we really want to live in a world where people treat one another like this? A life lived under the sinful nature, driven by false pleasure, will have consequences. Inevitably!
I am someone who is afraid of missing out on something. Simplicity counteracts this. That is why I choose to make God my «joy» and take delight in the things He has created. Or, to put it another way: a life driven by pleasure will not lead me to my goal, but a Christ-centred life will! «Stop loving this world and what it has to offer! For whoever loves the world shows that the Father’s love is not within them» (1 John 2:15 NLB). The realisation that I am in rebellion against God should lead me to repentance time and again.
Living a life filled with the Spirit
«The problem of the Christian life lies in the fact that, whilst living in this world, the Christian consists, as it were, of two trees – the old tree of the flesh and the new tree of the divine nature, which was grafted onto him through rebirth. The problem, then, lies in how the old tree remains barren whilst the new one bears fruit. The problem is resolved through a transformation of the spirit.» (Cyrus I. Scofield).
Followers of Jesus should lead a life filled with the Holy Spirit. «If, on the other hand, the Holy Spirit rules our lives, he will bring forth quite different fruit within us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. None of these things is at odds with the Law» (Galatians 5:22–23 NLB).
This fruit is characterised by «frui». If everything depends on God, then this permeates my entire behaviour. The Holy Spirit brings this about and truly embodies it! «For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-control» (2 Timothy 1:7 NLB). It is interesting to note that «fruit» is in the singular. There are not several fruits, but only one – to become more like Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit helps us in this. Fruit differs vastly from works. For fruit grows in silence. Who has ever been distracted by the noise of a fruit ripening? Growth takes place without a sound. This fruit has a purpose and is directed towards ‘bearing fruit’.
Saying «yes» to Jesus as this «frui» is a ‘no’ to created things that seek to become ‘frui’. «Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the passions and desires of their sinful nature on his cross» (Galatians 5:24 NLB). If Christ is my «Lord», then I allow every area of my life to be governed by him. This is the call set out in Galatians 5:13–26. It is not a call to bear fruit, but to live by the Holy Spirit! Instead of taking away our fleshly nature, God has given us the Holy Spirit. That is why it is a constant struggle. To live filled with the Spirit means allowing Him to carry out His purposes, which run counter to our nature. «Since we have been given new life through »God’s Spirit”, let us now allow ourselves to be guided by this Spirit in everything we do’ (Galatians 5:25 NGÜ).
Simplicity of enjoyment means exerting influence where I can, so that I may achieve something in areas beyond my control. Seeing things as «uti» and using them to further the greater goal – towards God, the «frui». Today is not only a day of thanksgiving and repentance, but also a day of prayer. Ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that He may lead and guide you.
Today we celebrate the Lord’s Supper together. It is the place where the «uti» and «frui» come together. As we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we delight in the bread and the grape juice and savour them in remembrance of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross. We also nail our passions and desires to that same cross. Partaking of the Lord’s Supper shows that Jesus Christ is my «frui»! I can share in the divine reality at that very moment.
Possible questions for the small group
Read the Bible passage: Galatians 5:13–26
- What does the statement «Simplicity is not the goal, but a means of honouring God with our whole lives» mean to you personally?Where do you experience this in your everyday life?
- Galatians 5 describes freedom not as «I can do whatever I want», but as the freedom to love and to serve. Where do you experience this freedom in your life – and where does freedom quickly turn into self-indulgence?
- What things in your life bring you joy and pleasure, but are in danger of taking on too much importance? How would you tell when something has gone from being a good gift to becoming a «substitute for God»?
- In Galatians 5:19–21, Paul describes the specific consequences of a life governed by the sinful nature. Which of these attitudes or behaviours do you find particularly challenging?
- The fruit of the Spirit grows – it is not simply produced. Which of the fruits mentioned (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) would you particularly like to see the Holy Spirit helping to grow within you right now? Why?
- In practical terms, what might it mean to try to hold on a little less and trust in God a little more over the next few days? Is there a specific area where consciously giving something up or adopting a new habit would be helpful?
- Galatians 5:25 says: «Since we have a new life through God’s Spirit, let us now be guided by that Spirit in everything we do.» What might be a practical step you could take to make more room for the Holy Spirit in your everyday life?
