Simple Gospel
As this world moves forward and we advance in our technologies, everything seems to be getting more and more complex. This is not the gospel.
In fact, the more complicated we make the gospel, the more we're moving in the wrong direction. While the gospel is infinitely bigger and more important than the smartest person can conceive of, it comes to us in simplicity.
It's the good news that something happened two thousand years ago, something we didn't contribute to or design or have any part in. Jesus died in the sinner's place and absorbed the consequences of our sins. He became our sin and faced our judgment so we could be forgiven and be God's friend and not his enemy.
Can this be said with other words? Sure. We might simply quote John 3:16, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
When Jesus was dying on the cross, you might remember that there were two criminals being crucified with him. One of the criminals mocked Jesus, but the other had a simple request, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
And Jesus' answer? “Today you will be with me in paradise.” The criminal simply recognized his need and looked to Jesus for mercy.
In Acts chapter 16, the apostle Paul and his friend Silas are in jail because they were preaching Jesus. And the prisoner guard asked, “What must I do to be saved?” The answer: “Believe in Jesus and you will be saved.”
The apostle Paul in his letter to the worldly church in Corinth said, “I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” What the people in Corinth needed was more gospel, Jesus and his death.
This simplicity does not mean there's not a massive underlying story that adds dimension and depth. But the climax of the story of God is found in this one act of love for the ones who have rebelled and gone their own way and deserve death.
We, however, can be tempted to add to the gospel or complicate it or actually take it away from the very people who need to hear it. And there are many ways to get in the way of a simple message. I'll name three:
First, suggesting that I must do something other than believe. For the believer true change comes as Jesus becomes bigger. It's the beauty of Jesus that moves us forward in our lives, not the law. Don't add requirements.
Number two, suggesting that the gospel is here to magically take away my struggles. Not true. While God does faithfully work for his children and we can have newfound joy in the hardship of life, believing the gospel may actually be the catalyst for increased difficulty.
Any theology that uses God as some genie is satanic and having the wrong expectation can be crushing.
Number three, creating a club that we can join. One of the biggest problems is a churchy club environment that excludes those who don't or can't meet the requirement for inclusion. It's an environment where we're glad you came, sort of. We'll smile and shake your hand, but you're clearly an outsider until you conform.
Of course, keeping the message simple does not mean we can't answer the deeper questions, but I have found that if we run to other things in hopes of adding strength to the message, we can easily find ourselves entangled and off course.
Jesus, you are the one who did the work for me because I am not capable of saving myself. I'm sorry for thinking I can earn or contribute to what you did for me. Thank you for the simplicity of the gospel. You died in my place so I could live. Please cause me to look up and be amazed at your love for me.
Remember, in Mark 10:15, we read Jesus saying this, “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Song: This Blood