Life is complicated, Christianity is simple

Life is complicated by so many decisions.

Since we cannot see into the future, we do not know which decisions will be best. We do what we believe is best at the time. Sometimes, we may worry about which decision to make and thus our life seems complicated.

Christianity is simple. God has decided what a Christian is to do. Thus, much of the complication is taken away for us.

The Bible is the word of God. He has told us all that we need to know about him and his thinking so we can please him. He has even revealed to mankind that Jesus is his Son. Matthew 16:16-17 “Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.’

“God has revealed to us that we are to listen to his Son even above Moses and Elijah.” Matthew 17:4-5 “Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’”

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!’”

The Son, Jesus, has revealed to us the Father and His plan. Luke 10:22 “All things have been delivered to me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”

God has spoken to us through his Son (Hebrews 1:1-2). All people who have claimed special revelation since the New Testament are false teachers. So we need not keep up with any new revelations. In fact, if it is new, it isn’t the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is only one gospel although there are some who have perverted the gospel of Christ.

Galatians 1:6-9 “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.”

Each generation can teach the next generation the truth of the gospel, because it hasn’t changed! That makes Christianity simple. When you learn the plan which God has given for us, you do not need to worry – it never changes! There are many who will try to change the plan which brings salvation and the plan for worship. God has never changed that plan and will never do that. False teaching may attract a crowd, but all who follow false teaching will be lost.

Sincerity and pious living are required for Christians. Christians will be saved. But one must be a Christian, as being sincere and pious will not bring salvation to one. False teaching will cause many to be lost. Teaching a ‘different’ gospel causes people to not obey God. False Christianity is not simple. To teach false doctrine forces you to explain away the simple truth!

When we teach and practice God’s commands we can live a simple life. We do not need to decide what is right or wrong. We just need to accept God’s decisions about those things. We know the future of the obedient and the disobedient. It is really simple -- God has told us who will be saved and who will not be saved. It is our responsibility to be faithful. Jesus said, “If you love me keep my commandments.”

Vernon Curry has preached at the Highland Drive Church of Christ in Poplar Bluff for about 16 years