SIMPLICITY IN CHRIST *By John N. Baker*

SIMPLICITY IN CHRIST
*By John N. Baker*

Scripture Reading: II Corinthians 11:3

The word "simplicity" as used in II Corinthians 11:3 can be interpreted
to mean singleness or single-minded. The gospel of grace is simple
indeed. Man has attempted to make it complex. Paul was single-minded in
the gospel he proclaimed. "But none of these things move me, neither
count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with
joy and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to
testify the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). Here is singleness
of purpose and mind. "For the preaching of the cross is to them that
perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God"
(l Corinthinas l:l8). Note the simplicity of this gospel which confounds
the wise of this world. "For I determined not to know anything among
you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (l Corinthians 2:2). Once
again, Paul expresses his singleness of purpose and mind. "But God
forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ
... " (Galatians 6:14).

The lesson in all of this for us is that we must be very careful to
maintain the simplicity of the gospel with singleness of mind to make it
known to a lost and dying world. It is very easy to get caught up in
trying to learn the deep things of God and lose sight of the simplicity
of the gospel of our salvation and our primary responsibility to make
this gospel known to the lost. We must take every care to keep the
gospel simple and proclaim it with singleness of mind. Our minds must
not be "corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."

*
*The value of consistent prayer is not that He will hear us, but*
*that we will hear Him.*

*-- William McGill*
*THOUGHT FOR WEEK*

*Time is too swift for those who fear,*
*too long for those who grieve,*
*too short for those who rejoice,*
*but for those who love - time is eternity.*
*-----Henry Van Dyke*