For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. —1 Corinthians 1:22–25
It seems the old adage “The more things change, the more they stay the same” would be a fitting summary of these verses today. The simple message of Jesus dying for your sins and mine is just that—simple. Yet some stumble over that fact, as did the Jews, thinking they don’t need some dead carpenter’s son to save them. They may be good moral people who try to obey the rules, but they do not see their need for a Savior. Others think, How foolish! God takes on a human body so He can die for something He didn’t do? Any rational person can see the folly in that.
But the fact is, it really is as simple as Christ crucified. We are the ones who in response to the criticisms overcomplicate the message. We try to help the Bible out a little by engaging in debates and seeking to prove to others that what we believe is true. But our case is actually quite simple: we are all sinners, and we all need a Savior; and Jesus is the only one who meets the qualifications.
One of the reasons we want to push the process along a bit and add our own stuff to the mix is that we live in the “instant” age. We want everything now! Fast computers, fast food, quick fixes, and instant rewards are the norm in our day. But when we add our arguments into the mix of sharing the truth, we are trying to hasten the work that only the Holy Spirit can do. The truth is, as I have heard it said, we don’t have to defend the Bible. It’s like a lion; if we’ll just let it out of the cage, it will fend for itself.
Don’t overcomplicate the beautifully simple message of the gospel. Just tell someone today that Jesus is the answer to the emptiness they feel inside. He is the one who by His death filled the void created by sin and who therefore is the only way to heaven. Just let those words out of the cage and watch what they do in time.
The Holy Spirit always blesses His words, so don’t entangle them with your own. Just share the simple truths of the Word of God, and then step aside and watch them work!
Excerpt from “Body Builders” now available on Amazon.
