The gospel is simple.
Actually, its simplistic nature is almost offensive to our vast human knowledge and in depth studies of scripture.
God created the universe.
–John 6:29
All we must do is believe in Jesus and we are sons and daughters of the King of the universe. We inherit eternal life and we are given the same authority that Jesus has when He walked on earth.
So why do we over complicate things? Why do we endlessly debate and let our own ‘junk’ creep in?
What if we believed that we were made holy and blameless in His sight? (Ephesians 1:4,5)
What if we believed that whatever we asked in His name, we would receive? (John 15:16)
What if we believed that we were truly co-heirs with Christ? (Romans 8:16)
What if we knew without a shadow of a doubt that Jesus gives His Spirit without limit? (John 3:34)
What if we chose to believe that when Jesus gave us authority to drive out evil spirits and heal every disease and sickness that he actually MEANT it? (Matthew 10)
I think we are scared. I think if we choose to believe that the glory of God who stopped the sun for Joshua, parted the Red Sea for the Israelites, multiplied food for thousands (more than once), and defeated death itself actually lived IN us, would plunge us into a measure of trust in God that is terrifying. We would not be able to rely on excuses. We would have to be ok with constantly saying ‘I don’t know’. We would have to rely on the Lord who promises that He works for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28) even when we don’t see how any good can come of the situation.
That’s not all.
We would have to let go of self-reliance, of pride, of self-pity and of our entitlement that demands immediate results. We would have to defy our ‘instant gratification’ generation and fully COMMIT to the Lord despite whether or not we see results.
That’s what we call living by FAITH.
Simplify your gospel, because it’s not YOUR gospel.
In a testimony by Jennifer Toledo, she asks ‘Can you explain your theology to a 7-year old?’
When you tell a 7-year old that the Lord has given them the power to heal the sick, they don’t second-guess you. When you tell a child that God speaks to them, they believe it to be true. They have not yet been taught the ‘What ifs’ and ‘buts’ that we have made our pet excuses over the years.
Guess what. This is the generation that is seeing the miraculous and walking in the fullness of God.
