Over the course of the last 40 years of Bible study, one overwhelming truth stands out - that is the simplicity of the gospel. In all the complexities of life, seeing God's divine plan for man is such a blessing.
In a ministry of encouraging hearts in the midst of crisis, what greater joy than to bear the news of how God is at work to reconcile man to Himself. The Scripture is abundantly clear regarding the means in which we can know peace with God.
Revelation 4:11 reminds us that we were created for God's pleasure, and yet the sinful choice of pleasing self, according to Isaiah 59:2, separated us from that sweet walk of fellowship, with no ability in ourselves to make that right, seen in Galatians 2:16. But we know from John 3:16 that God loved us so much, He sent His Son to shed His blood to pay the penalty of our sin, dependent upon our response to Him in repentance and faith, according to Acts 20:21. It is then, that being wrapped in the righteousness of Christ (Isaiah 61:10), we know the peace with God that Romans 5:1 describes :
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"
The simplicity of the gospel is that God created us for His pleasure/fellowship.
Man's response was one of willfulness and rejection, separating us from Him.
God provided the payment for sin in the death, burial and resurrection of His Son.
Man stands at the crossroads of decision, to respond in repentance and faith or to reject.
Consequences? Every decision has consequences. But if our desire is to know His peace here and eternity in His Presence, the choice is, of course, to respond to His grace, and receive Him, by faith, as Our Saviour. To reject Him carries the opposing characteristics, lacking His peace here, and having an eternal future apart from the joy and glory of His very Person.
Is the good news of the gospel complicated? Absolutely not. It is of such simplicity, that even a little child can comprehend it and respond to Christ. I trust you have, and if not, that you will do so right now.
(c) 1988 N. S. Collins (Do not reproduce except for one personal copy)
In a ministry of encouraging hearts in the midst of crisis, what greater joy than to bear the news of how God is at work to reconcile man to Himself. The Scripture is abundantly clear regarding the means in which we can know peace with God.
Revelation 4:11 reminds us that we were created for God's pleasure, and yet the sinful choice of pleasing self, according to Isaiah 59:2, separated us from that sweet walk of fellowship, with no ability in ourselves to make that right, seen in Galatians 2:16. But we know from John 3:16 that God loved us so much, He sent His Son to shed His blood to pay the penalty of our sin, dependent upon our response to Him in repentance and faith, according to Acts 20:21. It is then, that being wrapped in the righteousness of Christ (Isaiah 61:10), we know the peace with God that Romans 5:1 describes :
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"
The simplicity of the gospel is that God created us for His pleasure/fellowship.
Man's response was one of willfulness and rejection, separating us from Him.
God provided the payment for sin in the death, burial and resurrection of His Son.
Man stands at the crossroads of decision, to respond in repentance and faith or to reject.
Consequences? Every decision has consequences. But if our desire is to know His peace here and eternity in His Presence, the choice is, of course, to respond to His grace, and receive Him, by faith, as Our Saviour. To reject Him carries the opposing characteristics, lacking His peace here, and having an eternal future apart from the joy and glory of His very Person.
Is the good news of the gospel complicated? Absolutely not. It is of such simplicity, that even a little child can comprehend it and respond to Christ. I trust you have, and if not, that you will do so right now.
(c) 1988 N. S. Collins (Do not reproduce except for one personal copy)