Keeping It Simple

by Clay Smith

One of the most basic rules of communication is "Keep it simple." This makes a world of difference whether or not the listener can understand the meaning behind what someone has said.

As the world's greatest communicator, Jesus understood this principle. He addressed major issues, yet put them in clear and concise terms.

For example, His words were no plainer than when He spoke of eternal life.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life (John 6:47).

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6).

Deviation

Unfortunately, after Jesus' resurrection and the initial growth of the church, others came along emphasizing irrelevant issues, deviating from the Savior's simple words. The gospel - the simple message of salvation - became burdened with a mixture of religious ideas and requirements that eventually obscured the simplicity of the good news.

The plain truth is that the gospel is not meant to be a complex assortment of rules and regulations. The path to salvation is to be simple, clear, and easy to understand. With that purpose in mind, Paul (the first missionary) let the world know that the focus of his ministry was to preach "Christ and Him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2).

Fundamentals

In Romans, Paul lays out the fundamental teaching on salvation. The simple, gospel truth is:

• Romans 3:23 - All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;
• Romans 5:8 - While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us;
• Romans 6:23 - The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord;
• Romans 10:9 - If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

A Choice

In this uncomplicated plan God has delivered, we are left with a critical choice. God has opened the door to salvation; the decision to enter is ours. While it is easy to get caught up in the heavier issues of life, the gospel confirms for us that only one simple and clear choice must be made: life or death.

The function of the gospel is to call people out of a life of sin to serve the living God. The great result of heeding this call is participation in God's wonderful plan of salvation and the ongoing knowledge of what He expects of us.

Are we keeping it simple? Living for Jesus and knowing His words are the only bastion of simplicity left in this life. Let's strive to keep it that way!

A version of this article appeared in a past issue of the Bible Advocate magazine. For a free subscription, contact us at BibleAdvocate@cog7.org Clay Smith is co-pastor with Rick Straub of the Church of God (Seventh Day) in Sacramento, CA. Scripture quotations were taken from the New King James Version.

© 1997 General Conference of the Church of God (Seventh Day)