Living in Sonship Simplicity

2 Corinthians 1:12 (paraphrased)-“Our source of rejoicing is the testimony of our conscience, that we have conducted ourselves in simplicity and sincerity, not by our own efforts but by God’s grace.”

Defining Sonship Simplicity

The word simplicity in the Greek has a double meaning: 1) no dissimulation, disguising one’s intentions under a feigned appearance or to conceal one’s true feelings; and 2) a generosity, an openness of heart manifesting itself by generosity.

When I think of sonship simplicity, I think of a person who is friendly to everyone; one who has no bone to pick with anyone. I see a person that has found simplicity as someone who has lost his reserve or guardedness—but in a good way. He no longer feels the need to guard and protect his heart to keep it from being hurt again. This person shows a sincere interest in others with no need to dominate conversations, no need to neither prove points nor be dogmatic. He lives from the heart. He trusts God to meet his needs of love, affirmation, purpose and security, so he is not compelled to seek these in other ways or through people.

This is not meaning someone is “simple-minded” or a “simpleton,” which refers to foolishness and ignorance. Living in simplicity is where there’s freedom from complexity — life isn’t complicated. You love God, you love people. You receive His love, you give it away.

The World is Looking for Simplicity

I believe the hour is coming when the body of Christ at large will walk in this kind of simplicity because they truly know how loved they are. The world and it’s temptations and excitement will no longer hold any attraction to us, but rather we will attract them. We will have what they are looking for — a simplistic and sincere life. Let us be that generous, honest, and open-hearted people who, as John 13:35 says, they will know we are Christians by our love.