Theologians are sometimes accused of creating knowledge about God unnecessarily complicated. Scholars of the Bible are known for giving long, verbose answers to short questions. (In all fairness, nonetheless, the more complicated a subject the less likely a transient answer is to be adequate. And actually, the Lord ¾ and our knowledge of His revelation ¾ are subjects with so many layers of content that the percentages for wordy answers and discourse are great).
Regarding apologetics (the discipline of defending the Christian faith), getting tousled within the depth of content is just an occupational hazard. I once heard a TV preacher (clearly, no fan of apologetics) say, “Apologists could make falling off a stool complicated!” Perhaps so.
If one sincerely wants to search out out the reality, then having to sift through some content to get there mustn’t be viewed as completely burdensome. It is often helpful because on the option to solving one specific query, the diligent seeker will likely come across other truths. This is actually so regarding the message of Jesus.
The Gospel of salvation through Christ is endlessly fascinating since it is profound and straightforward. The brightest scholars exhaust their stock of adjectives in attempting to depict it, yet a baby may understand Jesus’s love, too. Reality’s two most indelible precepts, that God exists and that He loves me, stir our hearts to countless other topics of debate as well.
The Gospel Message Is Simple and Vivid
While fielding questions in an open-forum college class, a student gave me a request that mandated simplicity: Describe Christianity in only two words. Could you do it? Only two words, through which to elucidate the message of history. How would you respond?
I assumed for a moment and replied, “Loving substitution.” Fortunately, the category gave me a number of moments longer through which to elucidate. But one with even a basic knowledge of the Bible knows that God, in love, sent His Son to die on the cross in our place. I feel this “loving substitution” is what Isaiah 53:5 means when it says, “The chastisement of our peace was upon Him.” One modern translation renders this, “Everything we’ve done mistaken was piled on Him (Jesus).” That is God’s “loving substitution.”
The lifetime of Anthony Perez was a poignant picture of “loving substitution.” In a New York park nearly 20 years ago, the 11-year-old gave his life to save lots of a drowning pal. The friend had fallen through the ice of a small pond within the park, and Anthony entered the water to save lots of him. The friend was pushed to shore and lived. Young Anthony didn’t make it. Emergency responders got hypothermia, trying to save lots of him, but to no avail. Hailed as a hero, Anthony did for a friend what Jesus did for the world: He laid down his own life.
Painful as it could be, Jesus jumped into the icy water for us. Think about His “loving substitution” when that you must be reminded how much God loves you. Perhaps you’ll have the chance to share this precious truth with others today who’re longing to listen to it. Through words or in real-life actions, what a privilege now we have to convey easy, though life-changing, truth.
The Truth of Our Reality
G. K. Chesterton compared truth (that’s, God’s revealed truth, the Christian worldview) to a white stallion that has run throughout history. Some people have welcomed this white horse of truth, while others have fired arrows at it, tried to drive it away, and even tried to kill it.
Philosophers have long affirmed that “truth” is “that which corresponds to reality.” In other words, truth is what’s really real. Christ’s life, His teachings and physical resurrection — these items are the realities the church is to proclaim.
Chesterton explains that at the tip of time, after Satan and the entire opponents of God have been defeated, the “white horse of truth” will remain. When the smoke of Armageddon clears, as enemies of God lie scattered around, out from the mist emerges the “white horse of truth, wounded, scarred, perhaps bloody. But standing tall, nonetheless.”
Gospel Messengers on a Journey
God calls us to face. We are to lovingly, consistently, and patiently stand tall every day as representatives of our Lord. Will this at all times be easy or convenient? No. Will standing up for God at all times make us popular? Not really.
God calls us to articulate the message of the Gospel. We are to elucidate it, model it (I Peter 2:15), and defend it (I Peter 3:15). But the Lord doesn’t expect us to live the Christian life in our own strength. God doesn’t send us to the touch the world via our own abilities. Often, the people whom God uses essentially the most often endure very rough times and periods of great struggle.
Many Scripture passages (comparable to Ephesians 6:10-17) speak of being prepared for the spiritual battle. The people of God can stand since the truths of God stand. Individually and collectively, today, tomorrow, and at all times — God’s message and His messengers stand.
Photo Credit: ©Pexels/Bruno Felix
