The Simplicity of Christ, Part III

Christianity is a simple religion and belief system. Although many Christians make Christianity sound very complicated with their many different views and doctrines, it is not that hard. It actually is a very simple idea that God loved us enough to save us from what we were and what we had become. He sent His one and only Son to die for us serving us with His very life to bring life to all who believe. Nothing could mess up the simple ideals of salvation by way of faith anymore than man can.

Over the centuries, man's interpretation of the word of God has caused many to be divided. These divisions concerning belief have caused war and many men and women have died as a result. Yet, the message is so simple. Believe in Jesus as the Son of God and that He died for our sins and was raised to new life by God and love one another as Christ loved us. The rest of the details men and women argue over viciously but it is futile and not worth doing and is not based in love. Paul warns against such strife and arguments in his writings to the churches.

^{Titus 3:8-11}

⁸This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

⁹But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. ¹⁰Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. ¹¹You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

The Simplicity Of Christ, Part II

So many frustrate the simplicity of Christ. The grace that He gives and life He imparts to us is simply about love. This is the reason why we are here... to learn how to love. Some people help others, some hinder, and some do nothing but Jesus teaches us to be those who help. We should not be concerned for this life because we seek a new life and an eternity with Him.

What is God's will? Love. What does God want from me? Love. What is my purpose in life? Love. What saves? Love. What is the light that Jesus speaks of? Love.

As Pilate asked, "What is truth?". Well, the truth is also simply answered. Love is the answer. God is His word and His word is about love. His commandment is to love.We carry on His cause (which is also love) to honor Him, to please Him, and to show Him evidence of our own love for Him. There is no greater scripture that promotes this message than the following:

1 John 4:16-17

16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.

That's it. It is that simple. Now that we know the truth, it is up to us to put it in to practice.

The Simplicity Of Christ, Part I

According to the Bible, God is His word and His word is about love. It is not simply the physical act of Christ's birth, death, and resurrection that saves us but the motive behind these things. It is ultimately the love that God has for us that saves us. God loves and love saves.

Essentially, God is not only His word as shown here in the following verses:

1 John 1:1-2

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.

1 John 1:14

14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

But that same God is a God of love.

1 John 4:7-8

7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

If God is love then Jesus (who is His Son) must also be love and His Spirit is also a spirit of love. Jesus came to show us an act of love and then commanded that we carry on this love to others.

John 14:21

21Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."