CHRISTIAN SIMPLICITY FOR COUPLES

CHRISTIAN SIMPLICITY FOR COUPLES

As Christians, we are called to live a life of simplicity and godly sincerity. This means that we should strive to approach life with the same mindset as Christ and follow His example in all that we do. Our focus should be on pleasing God and serving others, rather than pursuing worldly wealth or pleasures.

In 2 Corinthians 1:12, Paul talks about how he and his fellow Christians have had their conversation in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity.

2 Corinthians 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

They didn't rely on fleshly wisdom but instead trusted in the grace of God to guide their actions. This is a powerful reminder that, as Christians, we should approach all aspects of our lives with the same simplicity and reliance on God.

However, in 2 Corinthians 11:3, Paul also warns us to be careful not to be corrupted by the simplicity that is in Christ, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning.

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

This highlights the importance of remaining steadfast in our faith and keeping our minds focused on Christ so that we do not fall into temptation or become distracted by worldly concerns.

The Simplicity of Christianity simply means having the mind of Christ and doing what Jesus would do per time.

When it comes to relationships and marriage, Christian simplicity means prioritising our love for God and our commitment to our partner above all else. We should seek to live our lives in a way that honours God and supports our spouse, rather than pursuing selfish desires or seeking worldly approval.

In essence, Christian simplicity for couples is about putting God first, trusting in His guidance, and living a life of godly sincerity and love. By doing so, we can build strong, lasting relationships that are grounded in faith and centred on Christ.

When it comes to intending Christian couples, there are many ways in which Christian principles and simplicity can intersect to create a strong foundation for a Christ-centred relationship. Here are some additional practical steps that intending Christian couples can take:

1. Genuine Connection Building a genuine connection with your partner is crucial to a successful Christian relationship. Instead of focusing on extravagant gestures, prioritise meaningful conversations and shared interests. Take the time to understand each other's communication styles and emotional needs, and work together to foster emotional intimacy. In addition, it is important to learn how to handle the best and worst times of life, as well as how to support and encourage each other.

2. Faith Aligning with shared faith and values is the cornerstone of Christian simplicity. Intending Christian couples should prioritise building a relationship centred on their mutual love for God, prayer, fellowship, and studying the Bible together. By prioritising spiritual growth and understanding each other's values, couples can foster a strong bond and a meaningful connection that is rooted in their shared faith. It is also important to attend church together, participate in ministry activities, and pray for each other regularly.

3. Embrace Modesty Modesty is a virtue that is emphasised in Christianity, both in behaviour and appearance. Christian intending couples can embrace simplicity in their dress, speech, and actions, avoiding excess or extravagance. Choosing modesty over materialism can help couples focus on what truly matters in their relationship and build a foundation of humility and selflessness. For women, dressing modestly can still be elegant and attractive. It's not necessary to show skin to be appealing. There are many attractive styles that are covered and beneficial, and as daughters of the King, we should always wear our royal garment. Proverbs 31 describes the virtuous woman as wearing purple, which is one of the colours of royalty. Just like God, who is always covered in glory, we should strive to look, talk, and act like Him.

Men, on the other hand, should aim to be sharply and neatly dressed to exemplify the king. By dressing modestly and appropriately, couples can demonstrate their commitment to living a Christ-centred life and can also foster respect and honour towards one another.

Embracing simplicity in behaviour and appearance, focusing on genuine connection and meaningful conversations, aligning with shared faith and values, and prioritising spiritual growth can help intending Christian couples build a strong foundation for a successful Christ-centred relationship.

4. Practice Contentment Christian teachings emphasise finding contentment in all circumstances. Intending couples can cultivate a mindset of gratitude and contentment, appreciating the simple joys and blessings in their relationship rather than constantly seeking external validation or material possessions. This can foster a sense of peace and satisfaction in their relationship, regardless of their external circumstances.

The joy of a good Christian home is not in the acquisition of properties or material possessions. It's deeper than that. It's in finding your beloved who knows the Lord and being in love with a spouse who loves you back, and whom the Lord has approved of. This is the greatest thing that can happen to a person apart from salvation.

Marriage is a significant decision in a person's life. When you are with the right spouse, the sky is the starting point. The joy is that you have the right spouse, both of you have God in your boat, and God can do exceedingly, abundantly above all that you can ask or think of according to His power at work in us.

In a society that often emphasises materialism and external validation, cultivating a mindset of contentment is essential. Christian intending couples can focus on the simple joys and blessings in their relationship, such as spending quality time together, sharing common interests, and supporting each other through thick and thin.

5. Service Service is an integral part of the Christian faith. Intending couples can embrace simplicity by finding ways to serve the Lord together. When serving God, He will provide opportunities for you to serve others, your community, and those in need. Engaging in acts of kindness, volunteering, and giving back can deepen your connection and help you build a relationship based on selflessness and compassion.

Serving together can take on many forms. It could be volunteering at a local charity, helping out at church events, or simply performing small acts of kindness for those around you. The important thing is to approach service as a team, working together towards a common goal.

By serving others, intending couples can strengthen their bond and cultivate a deeper sense of purpose in their relationship. It also provides an opportunity to grow in humility and learn from one another's strengths and weaknesses.

Ultimately, when we serve God and others with a humble and selfless heart, we reflect the love of Christ and inspire those around us to do the same.

6. Open Communication Open Communication is key to any healthy relationship, especially in courtship. Christian intending couples can prioritise simple and honest communication with each other, sharing their thoughts, feelings, and concerns openly. In fact, avoiding unnecessary complexity or pretence in communication can foster trust and understanding, laying a solid foundation for a healthy and thriving relationship.

It's essential to establish healthy communication patterns early on in the relationship. Talking about things like boundaries, expectations, and goals for the future can help avoid misunderstandings and miscommunication later on. Holding back on any aspect of your life or feelings can lead to issues down the line, and it's essential to address any issues that arise in a healthy and respectful manner.

In courtship, communication should be open and transparent. Discussing issues with your partner helps build trust and lays a foundation for a healthy relationship. Refusing to talk about certain subjects can affect the sweet flow of the marriage, so it's important to be transparent and talk about everything now. Remember, open communication helps foster trust, understanding, and respect and is key to any healthy relationship.

Illustration: Two wrapped candles were put in the same bag, taken home, and lit at the same time without removing the wrap. The smoke of the wrap overshadowed the natural fragrance of the odourless candles. So everyone in the house was covering their noses to prevent the offensive smell of the wrapper.

Meaning: The illustration above expresses the state of some relationships. If certain aspects of the relationship are hidden during courtship, they can become a source of conflict in the marriage, just like the wrapper on the candles. The couple may struggle to work together as one and this struggle may be unpleasant for others to witness.

To avoid this, it is important to open up and be transparent with your partner during courtship. You should work together in prayer and fasting to resolve any issues before moving forward. It's essential to build your life on a new foundation and leave old baggage behind.

The message of this book is to encourage you to examine any part of you that you have been struggling with and share it with your partner. By doing this, you can move forward together and build a strong and healthy relationship.

The Sand in the Flower Pot Some time ago I was walking in my compound and I noticed a new flower in a pot drying up, despite changing the soil recently. I wondered what the problem could be, and upon closer inspection, I discovered that the sand had become dry and stony.

The issue was not with the flower or the pot, but the sand. As long as my focus was on the flower, the result was the same. When I replaced the sand, the flower began to flourish once again.

This experience taught me a valuable lesson that applies to any situation in life, whether in business, ministry, or personal relationships: sometimes, to achieve a different result, we must change our approach.

Changing the sand in the flower pot meant changing the method. Similarly, if you find yourself struggling with a bad habit or lifestyle, you have the power to change it. Don't settle for less when you can strive for better.

On the day that Zacchaeus met Jesus, his entire belief system changed. His addiction to covetousness and his greedy behaviour was transformed. The pure mind of Christ took over, and he became a different person altogether. Meeting the real Jesus brings about a transformative experience that changes your entire outlook on life.

It's important to note that we're not talking about someone who was merely born in the church or grew up in a religious environment. There's a vast difference between being born to a pastor and being reborn by God. An encounter with Jesus leaves you awestruck and completely transformed. You find yourself seeking God's will instead of your own, and you start operating as a heavenly citizen on Earth.

This encounter with Christ keeps you rooted in the heavenly places and separates you from the things of this world. When people encounter you, they can tell that you've been reborn by the Spirit. Everything you touch reflects the mind of Christ, and that's why yo

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