Let me add one more item to the message from yesterday that I did not have time to include from our study in 2 Corinthians 11. When it comes to the simplicity of the gospel, beware of the enemy’s attempt to corrupt it with “add-ons.”
Remember, salvation is in Jesus alone, not in anything that perpetuates Jesus and something else. One denomination teaches that you must speak in tongues to be saved. Another teaches that you are not saved unless you worship on the seventh day, Saturday. Some teach that you are not saved without being water baptized. One group even declares that they must baptize you. Some place all kinds of rules on those who profess faith. All of this takes salvation out of Christ alone and places it upon their brand of religion.
The Scripture is clear that believing in Christ by accepting His free gift of salvation and surrendering ourselves to Him saves us. Acts 16:31, John 1:12; 3:16, 36. He did the work at Calvary and it is finished! We simply choose to receive it.
For all of you who desire to see loved ones and friends come to Jesus, may God grant you the grace to keep it simple. Also bear in mind that your personal testimony is one of the best ways to declare the gospel. May God bless all of you with grace and wisdom in explaining these four simple truths of the good news.
1. God created us for greatness.
2. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
3. The wages of sin is death.
4. God restored our ability to live in the greatness He created us for through the
sacrificial death of His own Son, Jesus.