Daily Devotional for Sunday, December 18

The Power of the Gospel

We use the phrase child’s play to describe something very simple. Similarly, we might say that something is so simple that a child can figure it out. What we mean is that something is not complicated. This describes something that is not complex and can be grasped by more simple minds. If something can be grasped by simple minds then, by default, it is simple.
The gospel is just such a simple message. The gospel is so simple that even a child can get it. In fact, thousands of children do just that. It is not complicated; the gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That is it, no more and no less. The power of that message is enough to overcome the absolute depth of our human sinfulness and depravity and restore us to a right relationship with God.
Why is this concept of simplicity so important? It is important because we insist on complicating a simple message. Without meaning to most times, we attach things to this message that are not part of it. The most common thing we clutter the gospel message with is an undercurrent of legalism; we clutter it with ideas that one must act right, look right or have the proper associations to get right with God. To propagate this false gospel is heresy at best, and outright evil at worst!
It is time to get back to the true and simple gospel message. In and of itself, it has enough power to change lives and to change the world. God does not need our help, so why do we insist on trying?

JUST A THOUGHT: Deep theological knowledge is a wonderful thing, but it will not save.
Only knowing Jesus saves.

Wally Fry