My wife decided to repaint our den in the color brown. A simple color became complicated when she returned with many colored cards. I saw many confusing color-complicated choices. I remember when there were only eight major colors: red, black, purple, pink, white, yellow, blue, and orange. Then I realized these complicated color choices crossed over to cars, paper, clothes, lipsticks, ties, fonts, etc. I saw that colors are named after colored things as nutmeg, sky, cloud, seafoam, peach, celery, cinnamon, taupe, stone, brick, banana, lemon, glacier, sand, harbor, natural, creme, mist, haze, coral, meadow, ebony, huckleberry, cashew, canyon, olive, champagne, pewter, smoke, orchid, sagebrush, daffodil, gold, silver, turquoise, emerald, ivory, pineapple, mango, parchment, spice, ash, pepper, and aqua just to name a few.
Then I thought, this same confusing complication of choices is also occurring in some churches and ministries. The once simple, plain, and understandable Gospel has become complicated and confusing with choices that meet the demands and trends of this politically correct age. Remember FAD, means For-A–Day and soon fades away, but the Gospel is here to stay! It seems there are now many new confusing choices and changes, but the Gospel remains the same. There are many religions, but only one Gospel. Paul wrote, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed … unto another gospel: Which is not another… but there be some…that pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Gal 1:6-8).
The Holy Spirit responds only to the Gospel which includes the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit could say, “I could do more, if you would give me more to work with.” Dr. Bill Rice, taught me that great preaching was not making a simple subject complicated, but making a deep subject common and simple to understand. The keyword in preaching and teaching is “understand.” If they do not understand, then they do not know. No one is saved without the Gospel – No one (Rom. 1:16). No one spiritually grows without the Word of God – No One! (I Peter 2:2). If you do not know, you will not grow. The more you know, the more you grow. Stop knowing – Stop growing. The same Gospel has been changing lives since the early church, and it is still changing lives today. How do I know?” Because when I was 23 years old it changed my life, and the Gospel can also change you, you, and even you. (2 Cor. 5:17). The Lord is still in the life-changing business.
The Gospel still works! So if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
