By Tiffany Deluccia >>>

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5

Boy, do we complicate the faith. Paul writes to Timothy of a simple and dignified life marked by a pure heart, a clean conscience and a sincere faith. My days can feel like a cloudy mess when held to that standard.

How do we simplify? Here are a few ideas.

1. We regularly test our hearts in the joy of His presence.
2. We dissect our ideas of what a life in God’s will looks like and compare them against God’s Word. (Are we pursuing Christ-likeness or the American Dream? The latter is rarely simple, clean or full of faith.)
3. We pray for others as a matter of habit, remembering that love is always aimed outward.
4. We cut distractions that pull us away from our purpose.

The Gospel is simple and accessible to all. The aim of our charge is love, and love issues from a heart and faith built on the One who is true and everlasting.
Photo Credit: jake vance via Compfight cc | Note: Heart added to center of bullseye.