Today's Bible Study, Authored by Arthur
Cincotti. 05/07/2023
Listen to our Bible
Study Discussion at: The Simplicity of the Gospel
Or watch the Video Zoom Session of our Study on YouTube:
The Simplicity of the Gospel
“But I fear, least somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” II Cor. 11:3
Consider the simplicity of
life in the garden in comparison to the complexity that most of us are steeped
in at present.
All man’s needs were met, and
he had unbridled fellowship with God.
Our physical self was cared for and supplied.
Our intellectual self was engaged with the Creator.
Our emotional self was stimulated with creation.
Our sense of self was plugged directly into Truth
untainted or confused by lies.
Satan plants a seed of desire, as if to say, “there is something missing”...a key element.
Paul bookends this letter to the church in Corinth with this notion of simplicity. In 1:12 he writes, “For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God…”
The abundant life that Jesus promises in John 10:10, if considered in the context of all of Scripture, is a simple life.
We have complicated life
with:
Striving – “And my God shall supply all your need
according to His riches in glory
by Christ Jesus.” Ph. 4:19
Covetousness – “You lust and do not have…” Js. 4:2
Contentions – “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law…” Tit. 3:9
What does this simplicity look like?
Jesus said, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for
I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My
yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Mt. 11:29,30
Jesus offers a yoke, but it
differs from the yoke of slavery to sin.
He invites us to learn from
Him; I suggest from His example.
Which is gentility and
lowliness of heart.
Where is the striving in
“rest”?
The early church experienced this simplicity: Acts 2:46, “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.”
Scriptures like this beckon the church back to our first love!
As the culture forces us into its mold, a weight of complexity comes along with it.
Paul urged this, “that you
also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your
own business and to work with your own hands,
as we commanded you.” I Th. 4:11
Of himself Paul said, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” Phi. 4:11
And he adds, in I Ti. 6:6-8, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.”
Busy is not a
virtue, especially toward worldly
gain.
Ps. 39: 6,7 says, “Surely
every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they busy themselves in vain; He
heaps up riches, And does not know who will gather them.
And now Lord, what do I
wait for? My hope is in You.”
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