The Ultimate Minimalist
Can you guess who that is? If you said God, then you’re correct!
Think about it. God created men and animals in such a way that if any part of their body (in or out), they wouldn’t be able to survive. This is what is sometimes called “irreducible complexity.” For example, you need numerous parts to make up the digestive system, if any of those parts were missing then the whole system wouldn’t function. God uses the minimum amount to accomplish the most. He hasn’t created anything that doesn’t have a purpose.
Scientists are learning how to improve technology by seeing and copying what God has made. Many are just now finding out that “we are wonderfully made.” God, as the most effective designer, made certain animals and plants do certain things. Scientists are still learning how animals and people work and are learning that they can take a lot from “nature” and copy it to improve technology. What they call nature is really the work of God. They are finding out that our current technology is inefficient and has unnecessary parts. They are learning about the Ultimate Minimalist.
One other way God is the ultimate minimalist is in His word. The Bible consists of 66 individual books written by different people and yet all the accounts therein do not contradict. 66 books may seem like a lot but many who have made the study of the Bible their life’s work have come to the conclusion that every one of those books is necessary and brings to us a complete portrait about God and His redemptive work. God gave us only what is necessary to have in the Bible. There is no unnecessary chapters or verses or even words in the Bible.
Often times, we people cannot accept such a minimalistic viewpoint. We want a little bit more. We want to know a bit more about the angels and demons and spiritual warfare that goes on. We desire to learn of the things which God has purposely decided not to show us. For many Christians, it feels like we’ll learn that secret if we buy just “one more Christian book.” But usually that is not the case and just leads us into error. I like good Christian books and God certainly uses them, but He gives us His word, those 66 books is really all we need.
People do not like God’s minimalism. Why? Because we always want to add things to His salvation. God says that He sent His Son to die on the cross and shed His blood for our sins (and then God raised Him from the dead). Look what He says we need to do.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.”
See what God says is required to be saved? Its simple, but everyone wants to add to it. Its too simple for many. Many want to say “I like what Jesus did but look at my good works, I’ll get to heaven because of those.” Or. “I keep the 10 commandments and the sermon on the mount.” Or any of these:
“My baptism saves me”
“I’m going to heaven because of my religion”
“My denomination said if I follow them I’ll go to heaven”
“I was sprinkled as a baby”
Any many more
The truth is, salvation is simple. It is by the grace of God, we can’t do anything to earn it. And so all we can do is accept and trust what Christ has done.
Is it too minimalist for you?