The Power in the simplicity of the Gospel

The term ‘preaching’ has two biblical definitions. One means the establishment of Christian doctrine. This type of preaching does not require experiential knowledge. All that is required here is proof that you are scripturally correct. This does not mean that you possess any experience of the things that you are professing. You do not need to have tested those beliefs in real life situations.

There is, however, another form of preaching which denotes witnessing. This has to do with the declaration of the truth that you have known, embraced and tested. It pertains to truth that has produced tangible results in your life. The type of results referred to here was mentioned in 1 John 1:1-3, ‘That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

The proof – producing testimony of the gospel always has an evident simplicity attached to it. This is because everything that consists of the experiential knowledge of Christ is simple and practical. In actual fact, the catch lies in its simplicity. As a result of this, several people miss the gravity attached to these simple principles. The bible supported this fact when it advised in 2Co 11:3, ‘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’. Therefore, it must be noted that great truths are usually simple in their application. However, there must be a willingness to learn on our part. There must also be some measure of integrity in your heart if you are going to appreciate the great power to be found in those principles. In addition you must also be willing to set aside the existing reserve of worldly wisdom in order to clearly enter into these spiritual truths.

Jesus prescribed the pattern for the prayer of faith in Matt 7:7, ‘Ask, and it shall be given you seek, and ye shall find knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh, receiveth and he that seeketh, findeth and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?’. He also stated the conditions that must be fulfilled for such proofs to be seen in our lives (Matt 7:1-6). Disregard for these conditions is the fundamental reason why many Christians fail to see a manifestation of their prayers.