Astonished at the Simplicity of the Gospel

People today often speak of "the historical Jesus" or "the theology" of the gospels. Jesus never did. He never complicated. He never spent hours analyzing. He just told people what God wanted them to know. The apostle Paul wrote to Christians later, warning them before time that as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, so shall he come to corrupt the simplicity and the purity of their mind that is toward Christ.

Many people were astonished at how simple the teaching of Jesus really was. There were many who didn't like what Jesus taught, but there were none who misunderstood it! The gospel message is such a simple one that everyone can understand and make use of. The Bible made us to know that faith come by hearing the Word of God, and the moment we cease from hearing God's Word, faith is not built in us, and we suffer spiritual starvation.

Starvation may sound so strange to many people who live in countries where food is abundant and people are well-fed. Such people may not be familiar with the symptoms of starvation. Victims of starvation have an insatiable craving for nourishment, and as time passes, their bodies get weak, their mind get dull, and their desire for something to eat begin to wane. In fact, starving people actually reach a point when they don't even want food that is placed before them.

Spiritual starvation follows much the same course. If we have been feeding daily on God's Word, it's natural to feel "hungry" when we skip our quiet time. But if we continue to neglect it, we may lose all desire to study the Scriptures. In fact, we may be starving ourselves. The gospel of Christ is what astonished so many great minds that they resolved not to overlook it. When we spend time reading the Bible and meditating on its truths, we gain spiritual balance. It makes sense to confess our negligence, and ask God to revive our appetite for His Word, any time we lost our taste for the "bread of life". This will help us to avoid spiritual starvation!

We should bear in mind that when many of the "doctors of the law" among the Jews resented what Jesus taught, the common people heard and received Him gladly. Jesus taught so that people could understand what He meant. He knew how important that was, for they shall all be taught of God. He said that everyone that has heard from the Father, and has learned, comes unto Him. Without us learning from God's Word, we cannot believe, and unless people can understand, they cannot come to God through Jesus Christ. He knew that, and so He made His message simple enough that all could understand.

Though, the so-called educated people might reject it, but the simple people would understand and accept it. Jesus prayed about this when He said, "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes" (Luke 10:21). The God who created us wants us to understand His will. Don't you think He is capable of delivering His Word so that we CAN understand it? But people are still astonished at how simple His Word is!

Vitus Ejiogu is a writer and publisher with the Fire-Brand Int"l Ministries, a media ministry that is based in Nigeria.

He is the editor of FOUNDATION SATELLITE magazine also published by the ministry. He pastors a Church in Bauchi and is married with two children.

You can reach him at: firebrandhq@yahoo.com or: 234 80 8181 829.

Website: http://www.palmgates.com or http://www.firebrandhq.com