Simplicity but not Simple!!
FROM THE PROPHETESS’ CHAMBER
The simplicity of the gospel rests on the primary assumption that God exists, He is holy and loving, and that God desires and pursues intimate relationships with us.
In 2 Corinthians 11:3, Paul warns against people being corrupted from the simplicity of Christ, which he fears could happen in the same way that the serpent deceived Eve.
“But I fear lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the “simplicity” that is in Christ.”
Christ, nor His message, is complex, and the truth about him is simple; without ulterior motive, pure, sincere, and unambiguous.
“I’m afraid that, just as the serpent beguiled (deceived, mislead, lead astray, or imposed a false belief), on Eve through his subtlety, (trickery, cunning and craftiness), that some of your “minds,” have been “corrupted” (spiritual decayed and morally dishonest which manifests as disobedience toward God)— from the “simplicity” that is in Christ!
Paul's message is that people could be led away from following Christ, in a pure and honest way, but instead, be influenced by false teaching/people, who have opinions outside the gospel truth; unto another gospel.
Simplicity— means straightforward, clear and lacking in pretense, openness, sincerity, freedom from double-mindedness. The simplicity of the gospel can lead to an authentic life, happy, powerful life!
Simpleness— means plain, basic, and easy — the gospel is neither plain, nor basic and it certainly is not easy to walk according to its dictates! It can be accomplished, but it will not be easy.
Jesus said to His disciple:
“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. He was saying that, “because, the entry gate which leads unto life, is strait and narrow—there will be few that will ever find it.”
Jesus stressed the point that the path to eternal life, (which is only possible through Him)…the gate to it, is "narrow" (difficult), and few of those who claim to be His followers would find the strait gate and narrow way; this straight and narrow path is very difficult because His true followers will face persecution from His enemies. In other words, the straight and narrow, wil be the road that His disciples take, because it leads to His kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven. Sadly, not many people are going to be taking this road.
The broad and wide way, is the road that people use, who aren’t really committed to follow Jesus. Many claimed followers, won’t grasp what it takes to get to that spiritual mile marker, though many will think that they have reached it.
Pay attention to the subtle ways Satan engages in your lives, or you will miss the right destination, and conclude that satans seductions is God’s leading! Many who say they follow Him, have subletted a portion of their minds, and have allowed Satan to corrupt it, by unscrupulously logging false doctrine, masquerading as truth—in it; and that false doctrine, have impacted the truth of the true gospel in their life!!
The final say is Jesus…
Authentic, scriptural truth will cause us to thrives and it works!! Sometimes it definitely is a challenge, but it will work and you will triumph in the end of the trial!
Salvation in and of itself, is based on faith in the God of the bible, and that what Jesus says and decrees, is the truth, (He is the way, the truth, life), and that we must adjust our lives to it! Authentic faith confesses Jesus, with our mouth, and believes in the heart! Believing is not just quoting scripture! You must align your corresponding actions and entire life to what it says—not what you “think” it says! When you do, you be blessed (enjoying enviable happiness, spiritual prosperity–with life, joy and the satisfaction of God's favor.
The word works!!! God is not a man that He should lie, nor does He needs to repent of His decrees and of any sin in His life!
He is—the only authentic & living God!