“But I fear least by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your mind should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” – 2 Corinthians 11:3 (KJV).
The kind of simplicity that we see in Christ Jesus is simply amazing. He exemplified humility and service as it is meant to be in the Christian fold. The gospel of salvation and the entire message of the gospel of Christ are simple. Jesus took complication out of man’s relationship and walk with God. He stepped down from heaven to identify with the sinful man. He put off his deity to take on humanity in order to qualify and enable man to attain his divine status. He abolished the complication of the laws and its rituals to bring man into relationship with the father through faith and obedience. He did the work so we can enter into his rest. He paid the price so we can enjoy the benefits. He is the one at work in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). The word of salvation is near you even in your mouth. “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation” Romans 10:10 (KJV). Jesus was so simple in his earthly ministry that the scribes and the Pharisees needed Judas to identify and betray him. The message of the gospel is so simple that it will require the devil to make one to misunderstand it.
But unfortunately, most preachers of the gospel today try to complicate the gospel and leadership. They create their own mysteries out of the simple message of the gospel in order to appear relevant as one who has profound insight. Their life too is complicated; they create an aura around themselves thus becoming merciless high priests that cannot be touched with the feelings of the infirmities of the followers. Some are becoming so authoritative and unapproachable. I think authority should not make one arrogant, it should rather make one humble and meek. Today, most people mistake complication for authority and anointing, we have not so learnt Christ. The people have been so deceived that those that practice the simplicity in Christ are taken for granted and often treated with disrespect.
The flesh has taken over most pulpits that self instead of Christ is projected. We have become so complex that today it is all about us. People can hardly see Christ manifested through us. We need to get back to the simplicity in Christ and shun the enticing words of men’s wisdom. “It is the spirit that quickneth; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life” John 6: 63 (KJV).
PRAYER: Oh Lord, help me to present the gospel in its simplicity and to represent Christ in his simplicity.
Rev. Vincent Diolu
