For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
– John 3:16 KJV
Sounds simple enough, “…whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41). And therein lies the problem, the obstacle if you will, to this simple answer to the most important question, “…who then can be saved?” (Luke 18:26).
For it is one thing to confess belief with our mouths but it is quite another to believe in our hearts that God hath raised Him [Jesus] from the dead (Romans 10:9). For if we truly believe this in our hearts it will naturally lead to a life pointed solely to serving the Lord in humble obedience. This serving, of course, is not our saving grace; it is certainly not our ticket to heaven. It is, however, the measuring rod of our faith in Christ!
Are we willing to lay down our lives and pick up His in return? Again, many will empathetically answer yes all the while a casual look into their lives at the fruit they are manifesting will prove just where their hearts truly lie.
Are we willing to be forgotten; rejected; to gladly serve at what society would deem “the bottom”? Or are we set on studying and rehearsing and decreeing the philosophies of man in an attempt to show we know the Word of God? Are we looking to elevate ourselves by being pumped up with “knowledge”?
Or is the Word of God enough for us as it should be anyone who has faith the size of a mustard seed?
Jesus is the Word of God; the Word made flesh that dwelt among us! Those that believe on Him have need of nothing else! It might take time for the old man to pass away; for the ways of the world to loss their grip on that person who’s heart is set on finding and serving Jesus.
Yet, no matter their stage of sanctification, you will be able to recognize them by their singular focus on Jesus! While others debate this or that theology or way- the true believer will be found proclaiming the name above all names through the mundane tasks of everyday life and through their treatment of those around them. Even now, someone will argue with the simplicity of this statement- further proof to the worlds hatred of the Word.
Many will find these ‘simple believers’ to be odd and will have a distaste for them that they cannot truly explain. This stands to reason since they are no longer of this world (John 15:19) and because Jesus said it would be so (John 15:18-27).
Yes, many will say, just as they did 2000+ years ago, that these simple folks are ignorant and uneducated; unlearned in the way and, as a result, are not truly saved or are basing their beliefs on some erroneous doctrine. Attempting to save them through the ways of man many will try to divert the ones on the narrow path onto the broad way to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).
It’s a test every believer will face- often multiple times in their lives- and it can only be passed when a heart is set on nothing but faith in Jesus. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
It is that simple!
As You Rise 