May 14
Why Religion Often Complicates What God Makes Simple
Complexity benefits institutions. Simplicity frees sons and daughters. Religious systems throughout history have added requirements, rituals, structures, obligations, and expectations that Jesus never placed on people.
These additions come from good intentions—wanting to “guard truth” or “protect doctrine”—but they often make the Father seem distant, conditional, or hard to reach.
Jesus overturned those barriers with one bold truth: “Your Father already knows what you need.” Children grasp this effortlessly. Adults struggle with it endlessly.
Religion often teaches us to live as if the Father’s heart must be earned. Jesus teaches us to live as if the Father’s heart is already ours.
This is simplicity.
Becoming Childlike Again: Pages 36-37
Complexity benefits institutions. Simplicity frees sons and daughters. Religious systems throughout history have added requirements, rituals, structures, obligations, and expectations that Jesus never placed on people.
These additions come from good intentions—wanting to “guard truth” or “protect doctrine”—but they often make the Father seem distant, conditional, or hard to reach.
Jesus overturned those barriers with one bold truth: “Your Father already knows what you need.” Children grasp this effortlessly. Adults struggle with it endlessly.
Religion often teaches us to live as if the Father’s heart must be earned. Jesus teaches us to live as if the Father’s heart is already ours.
This is simplicity.
Becoming Childlike Again: Pages 36-37