08/21/2021
When we deliver the gospel message do we do so in clear and simple terms that others can understand? Do we teach the Word of God by making it straight forward and like a straight and smooth road for new and old believers alike to follow? If a pastor cloaks his message in mystery, and delivers the Word in a way that makes him the key to unlocking it, then he is not serving the Lord, but himself. Paul went to prison for preaching a clear message of salvation, but many were saved. Are we ready to risk the ridicule of scholars by teaching God’s Word, and the gospel of Jesus in the language of the common man… of children?
“At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.”
Colossians 4:3-4 ESV
A mystery is either something that is difficult and possibly impossible to understand, or it is quite simply a puzzle. The mystery of Christ is more like a combination of these two definitions… in the details of His life He can often be difficult to understand, but His love and humility lead us to puzzle over Him every day of our lives.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 6:33 ESV
We seek to know Him in greater detail, to love Him more deeply, and to understand the questions that His life presents us. But this is how we mature in faith. As babes in Christ, or everyday people, we simply need to hear the greater part and purpose of Him. We desire to understand what is needed for us to receive salvation through Him… then, over the remainder of our lives we can delve deeper into Him, and find what God’s Word offers us regarding Him. So, although there is much to be learned, understood, and sought out, our message to those who don’t yet know Him, or who are new in their faith, should be clear, easily digested, and able to save their souls. John 3:16 lays out salvation simply, and clearly in one word… believe.
““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 ESV
Believing, this is the clear message of eternity, faith, and salvation. We come to believe that God sent His Son Jesus to redeem us, and that He lived, taught us straightforward principles such as how to love, how to talk to God, and who our Father is. Then He obeyed God as He gave Himself to suffer, die, be resurrected, and to ascend into Heaven to sit at God’s right hand… all of this to cleanse us of sin, and make eternity with God ours. This is what we believe, and faithfully know as truth.
“For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”
Romans 10:13-14 ESV
The message we are meant to deliver to others is that we are meant to believe, all the rest is like putting meat on the bones of our faith. We seek to understand righteousness, what is Holy, God’s Grace, the meaning of baptism, why was Jesus baptized, communion, and all of the other intricacies, and mysteries of a maturing faith, but none of this can occur without a foundation of faith; unless we first believe in God, and that Jesus Christ is His Son.
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
2 Peter 3:18 ESV
We saw the simplicity of salvation in action on Calvary when the thief who was hanging beside Jesus revealed that He had come to believe that Jesus was the Son of God. He didn’t know the mysteries, or understand the complexities of faith, and religion, he simply believed, and asked that Jesus remember him in Heaven. Listen…
“One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.””
Luke 23:39-43 ESV
This is the clear message Paul is speaking of in our opening scripture, and is asking the church at Colossae to pray that he be able to deliver. Is this the way we explain our faith to others, give witness of Christ to them, and lead souls to the kingdom of God? Do we take the mystery away, and replace what is difficult to understand with simplicity?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for raising us up as your children, and growing us into maturity in our faith, but thank you most for the simple and straightforward message of salvation that underpins all else… the belief in Christ that is truly our salvation. Help us in our unbelief that we might be saved, and help us to clearly convey this simple message to those who need to understand how to receive salvation and enter into eternity with you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who loves us, and who gave us your Son that we might be saved by believing in Him, and who He is. Praised be your name for bending low to speak to us in terms we can comprehend. Merciful are you as you lead us to know you, and redeem us in such a manner that we are able to understand and obey. Wash us clean in the blood of Jesus, and lift us up on the day of judgement to join you in Heaven forevermore.
Rich Forbes