Have you ever left a sermon asking, "Huh?"

I fear that many times we do.

It seems that many have forgotten that the Gospel is indeed simple and easy to understand. Yet many times, we make it difficult.

Why do people make the gospel difficult?

Some make it difficult because they want to make it say what they want it to say.

Many times, in order to be able to find "proof" for a false doctrine, people will take a Scripture from here and there (often out of context) and twist the meaning. "And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." (2 Peter 3:15-16).

Some make the gospel difficult because it makes them look so smart.

Often, when people get "over-educated" they feel that they have to come up with something new to gain the respect of their peers. This happens all of the time. As a consequence, things get complicated and many times they contradict themselves. The simple-minded often understand the gospel better than the "scholars." "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;" (1 Corinthians 1:26-27).

We make the gospel difficult when we do not take the time to sit down and really study it.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15). Too often, we sit down with a Bible and just start reading wherever it falls open. While it is great to read any part of the Bible; for one who does not know the context of the chapter and the whole book; it can become very difficult to understand passages sometimes.

Friends, don't make the gospel difficult.

God's Word is easy to understand if we have an open mind and take it for what it says.

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32). The answer to the question that was stated at the start of this article is, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:16). In order to be saved, we must submit to Christ. The Bible is very plain when it comes to What we must do to be saved. Please obey.

-- Ralph Price - March, 2000 --

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