Article March 2, 1974 Issue

The Need for Simplicity

DAVID FOWLER

Christ Jesus could perceive the thoughts of those around him, and he used this ability for the purpose of healing. Jesus knew the source of man's very being and intelligence to be God. People's wrong thoughts and motives stood out clearly to him because of his purity and Godlike simplicity.

Yet Jesus didn't arrive at his thought-discerning ability through psychoanalytical training or educational research. He simply was willing to rely on God to reveal in him his true spiritual selfhood, the Christ. And through his willingness—characterized by unselfed living—he helped others reduce their aims and desires to a right purpose.

As you and I begin to carve the fat off personal desires and ambitions, we too will discern the truth of man's existence inseparable from God. Then the error of thinking that man lives embodied in matter will rise visibly to the surface, ready for destruction. Then we will be willing and able to part with greed, which draws to it the cluttering thoughts of mere idle comfort in material things.

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