Simplicity of the Gospel

The Gospel is so simple that according to Isaiah, the “wayfaring man, though a fool” can stop his descent into the abyss, change his mind (repent), receive Christ, and become a saint of God. Yes, He invites us to “reason together” with Him, to use our minds, discover His secrets, and to grow into maturity of truth. However, He warns us to never leave the “simplicity that is in Christ.” The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a simple gospel. Here is Apostle Paul’s warning to every believer, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (II Corinthians 11:3)

This word simplicity means both single and simple. It is so single that to add one ounce of human wisdom is to mar its beauty and reduce its power. Any theology that you must learn by intricate design is a false gospel and we are warned to flee from it. The man or woman who would come to Christ has but to “trust and obey” the literal Word of God. The simplicity that is in Christ is not to suggest a distaste of learning but a commitment to “singleness” and “simpleness” of the Scripture.

Human wisdom always seeks to integrate the great truths of God with man’s ideas. Psychology and psychiatry has so invaded the church world that the message of the Blood is rendered inadequate to make the believer perfectly whole. Yet, the Bible plainly teaches that sin, human emotion, and all human life is in our blood. Since all our life, including our problems, is in our blood, it also includes diseases and Jesus has shed His Blood to make me perfectly whole. Therefore, all I need is to experience the transforming power of His Blood. “There is power, power, wonder-working power, in the Blood of the Lamb.” That’s the simplicity of the Gospel.

Living the saintly life is the highest level of happiness known to man. How do I live that life? Singleness and simplicity of the literal Word of God. Keep His commandments, do all of the will of God, and the Scripture promises that “everything you do shall prosper.” Listen to the Psalmist David, “ a man after God’s own heart.” “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. “ (Psalms 1:1-3)

We are warned to never trust in our self-righteousness, but to cling to the Power of the Word, the Power of the Blood, and the Power of His Holy Spirit. We are filled with the Holy Ghost and fire (John the Baptist used the words, “and fire”) because His power in us is greater than the powers of the world. I read a saying over 40 years ago, that I shall never forget. “He who is on fire for God is too hot for the devil to handle.” It works in my life.