KEEP IT SIMPLE

August 11

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 11

2 Corinthians 11:3, “But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”

Life can sometimes be so complicated.  As a hospice chaplain, I’ve been alongside plenty of dying folks.  One thing that can happen on that journey is a refining of one’s focus as to what truly matters.  A lot of things are necessarily set aside for a hospice patient—activities, hobbies, earthbound dreams and aspirations, etc.  With death looming, one’s thoughts then tend to focus on what happens next.  That being said, I’m convinced that there is nothing more important for any of us than knowing Christ. 

Represented to us, in this beautiful phrase, “a sincere and pure devotion to Christ,” is a statement of divine objective for every born-again child of God.  Inscribe it above your “mind-gate” as that which should govern your innermost longings and aspirations.  Count the matter to be a treasured aspiration which is to be protected and defended at all costs.  Take note that there are forces (i.e., the world, the flesh, and the devil) ever working to deceive and lead one astray from it.

Paul was concerned for members of the church in Corinth.  He loved them and was relentlessly concerned for their spiritual well-being (2 Corinthians 11:28).  His goal in ministry was to “present (the church) as a pure virgin to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:2; Colossians 1:28).  He labored in ministry towards that end (Colossians 1:29).  But false teachers had infiltrated the church in Corinth, and some were being led astray.  The deceptively introduced false teachings which spoke of “another Jesus,” “a different gospel,” and “a different spirit” than that of which Paul had taught (2 Corinthians 11:4).  Tragically, some had readily accepted these teachings. 

The phrase, “a sincere and pure devotion to Christ” is translated more simply “the simplicity that is in Christ” in the King James Version.  The word “simplicity” translates a Greek term meaning “simplicity, sincerity, unaffectedness” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary).  According to Webster’s Dictionary, simplicity means, amongst other things, “freedom from pretense or guile.”  Paul’s fear was that his readers might be somehow moved from their sincere devotion to Jesus.

“The Christian life is simple.  It is loving Jesus Christ supremely and only as Savior and Lord.” 

John MacArthur

Christianity is rightly defined as being rightly related to Jesus Christ.  But it involves more than simply knowing of Him or knowing about Him as one might know of the details of some historical figure.  It is knowing Him by way of personal relationship and experience.  It involves more than simply giving Jesus in a place in one’s life (as one might add a hobby) and even more than having Him in a prominent place (as one thing amongst many to which a greater degree of devotion is rendered), it is loving Him preeminently (as the unrivaled object of one’s affection).

It is not a simple thing to simplify, but there is a need for it.  Forces are at work to complicate our lives with lesser concerns that compete against what should matter most to us.  Deceptive forces tirelessly work to cloud minds with contrary thoughts and pursuits (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).  “A sincere and pure devotion to Christ” is the object of the Spirit’s work in us (John 16:13-15; Philippians 3:3).  It is the Spirit of God who applies the Word of God to our hearts, always directing us to the glory of the person of Jesus Christ. 

There are some splendid examples in Scripture of those who possessed “a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”  Mary “sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching” while Martha “was distracted with much serving” (Luke 10:39-40).  Jesus responded to Martha’s request for help by saying, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).  Paul’s testimony was one of single-mindedness of heart and purpose: “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” …” but one thing I do” (Philippians 3:8, 13).  The early church was Spirit-born into a single-minded devotion to Christ which was characterized by devotion to His Word and His people (Acts 2:42).  In fellowship, they experienced both mutual encouragement and some degree of spiritual protection.  Simply put, there is nothing more important in life than knowing Jesus Christ and no greater aspiration that we can possess than to know Him better as the preeminent object of our affection.  Paul yearned for that for his readers.  God has the same simple goal for all of us.

We do well to refine our focus our attention on that which matters most, both for this life and the next.  Nothing matters more than knowing Jesus as one’s Lord and Savior!

All I once held dear, built my life upon
All this world reveres and wants to own
All I once thought gain, I have counted loss
Spent and worthless now, compared to this
Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You
There is no greater thing
You’re my all, You’re the best
You’re my joy, my righteousness
And I love You, Lord

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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