Thread by @2runtherace

The Simplicity of the Gospel 🧵

The professing church today is not unlike the church in Corinth. Instead of walking in the simplicity of the gospel of Jesus Christ, many have added to God’s Word — the Word He inspired and preserved for us in the form of the Bible.

The old and the New Testaments. Both speak of Jesus Christ.

Paul was so concerned about this he wrote one of many letters to the churches.

“For I am jealous over you with Godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one Husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ…

…But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ…

…For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” (2 Corinthians 11:2-4)

As we look around us today we see all sorts of perversions of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Word tells us Jesus is God — a part of the triune Godhead, that is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit…

…but many who say they are “Christians” have decided that Jesus is something different than this. They may preach about Jesus — but He’s not the Jesus the Word tells us about. He’s what Paul calls — “another Jesus.”

Others have added “another gospel” or “testament” as some cults (yes, cults) call it. Their books have titles like this one — “Another Testament of Jesus Christ.” They don’t even hide it. They have been “beguiled” by the “subtilty of the serpent” — Satan.

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul addressed this. The church was paying attention to all sorts of perversions of and distractions from the “simplicity of the gospel”.

He tells Timothy this — “That thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do…

…From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling… and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.” (1 Timothy 1:3-4,6, 10-11)

We must look to the Word of God — not any other source to know what is the — “simplicity” of the gospel.

The gospel of Jesus Christ, simply put, is this — Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day for our salvation.

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain…

…For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

There is no salvation or righteousness from any other than Jesus — there is no other Name given by which mankind can be saved. This is true for all people. We are all sinners in need of a Savior.

“Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God…

…Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God…

…To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” (Romans 3:22-26)

There aren’t many paths to heaven as some assert. There is only One Way — through faith in Jesus Christ. To tell people there are many ways and their way is fine — is both unbiblical, disobedient, uncaring, and unloving…

…We would be essentially damning that person to eternal separation from God in hell — and we would be held accountable for our negligence to preach the “simplicity of the gospel” — salvation through Jesus Christ alone.

“Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom ye crucified, Whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole…

…This is the Stone which was set at nought of you builders, Which is become the Head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other Name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:10-12)

We deserved death — but because of the Gift of God in giving His Son, Jesus Christ, we can have eternal life with Him.

“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our LORD.” (Romans 6:22-23)

Beloved, child of God, before Jesus left this earth He reaffirmed our mission here — “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:15-16)

The serpent is still trying to get people to doubt God’s Word. We can trust the Word of God is complete — Nothing has been hidden from us — don’t believe that lie.

And further — we are not to take away from or add to the Word of God. Take heed to the Warning of Jesus — “And if any man shall take away from the Words of the Book of this prophecy…

…God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this Book.” (Revelation 22:19)

“Ye shall not add unto the Word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the
Commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2)

Jesus and the disciples consistently pointed to Scripture as the final authority. The Words — “It is written” appear 63 times in the New Testament alone, and 80 in both the Old and New Testaments.

Paul emphasized this to Timothy when he wrote these Words to him — “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived…

…But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus…

…All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:13-17)

Let’s examine ourselves today and ask — “Have I strayed from the simplicity of the gospel?”
#EyesOnHim

Father, We lift up this message. Thank You for warning us and lovingly calling us back to the pure, simple truth of salvation through Jesus Christ alone.

LORD, we ask that You would breathe Your Holy Spirit upon every word in this thread. Let it cut through the confusion, the additions, the “other Jesuses,” and the “other gospels” that are so common today…

…Open eyes that have been blinded by deception and subtlety of the serpent. Convict hearts that have strayed from the simplicity that is in Christ…

…Remind Your people that there is only one way of salvation — through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ: His death, burial, and resurrection…

…Let this message expose any teaching that adds to or takes away from Your Word. Stir believers to return to the authority of Scripture and to the pure gospel…

…May this message bring clarity, conviction, repentance, and a return to first love for many who read it. May it glorify Your Name and draw souls to the true Jesus of the Bible. In the mighty, holy, and precious Name of Jesus Christ our LORD, Amen and Amen.
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