When I was in school, I always hovered towards math because there was only one correct answer to a mathematical problem. I liked that. No confusion. You either got the correct answer or you didn’t. Closeness did not count. Whereas in writing, there were numerous ways to express yourself and if the teacher did not like the way you expressed yourself, you did not get a good grade. Too wishy-washy to me.
When I look at the Bible, there is a concept of math involved with it. We are told to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, but the Bible does not stop there. Jesus makes it very plain that we must then be obedient, just like 1+1=2. Jesus must be our Savior and Lord. Observe the following verses:
You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? (James 2:19-20 NLT)
After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” (John 6:66-67 ESV)
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23 ESV)
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15 ESV)
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” (John 15:10 ESV)
“And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” (Acts 5:32 ESV)
Notice that only true disciples continue following Jesus even when others forsake Him:
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69 ESV)
I meet numerous believers in Jesus Christ in my everyday walk in life. But when I ask them where they fellowship, they tell me, almost quite boldly, that they do not attend anywhere. I try to remind them of the following command, but to no avail:
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)
This article is not here to argue with anyone’s theology. It is here to express the simplicity of the Gospel that even a child can understand, just like a child can understand 1+1=2 :
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:3 KJV)
The consequences are too great to fool with this simplicity:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:21-23 ESV)
There are three kinds of people in the world: Non-Believers in Jesus, Believers in Jesus, and Followers of Jesus. Which are you?
Annointing 