ART & INSPIRATION BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER
The simplicity of the Gospel often boggles the mind. We are expected to believe something extraordinary – inconceivable – impossible. We delude ourselves into thinking there has to be more to it than just a childlike faith, but the truth is that God in His infinite wisdom laid out His plan for humanity so many years ago – simply.
We were created by Him – we need His divine intervention because our inborn sin – He loves us so much that He came to us in human flesh to teach, admonish and die for us – He rose from death showing His power over it – He returned to heaven to prepare a perfect place for us to spend eternity with Him.
Too simple, some might say. There has to be more to the story than that. Isn’t there something we should be doing to speed up the process – to help God along with the work that needs to be done – to work our way into heaven?
It’s not about us. It’s about the omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent Creator of heaven and earth. When human reason gets in the way it gets complicated. We cannot even begin to fathom what God has in mind for us. All we need do is believe that He has our best interests at heart. He loves us with a love that is beyond comprehension. He designed us perfectly. Because of man’s desire to be equal with God, reason got in the way of that perfection.
Soon the season of Lent will be upon us. It’s a time to examine ourselves, confess our sins God, repent of them and ask for His forgiveness. It should be a quiet time of contemplation – a time to dig deeply into His Word, the Bible. It doesn’t necessarily mean we must give up something for a time. It does mean we should prepare our hearts for the blessed news of God’s love for us – undeserved and unconditional love.
Let’s forget about reason and just accept as children accept what their father tells them is true. God loves us so much that He put Himself in our place to take our sins to the grave. We can now rejoice in His salvation. Very simple – not complicated.
