06/15/2026
"the Simplicity of the Gospel"
We've spent years trying to unravel and unwrap the mysteries of the Bible, digging deep into religious text and analyzing the words within. Instead of clarity it's only brought division, anger, pain, and hatred. What if following Christ, truly being His, was much more simple than we realize? What if the secrets of the Bible are in the simplicity, written in plain sight?
With all the different beliefs, doctrines, and denominations it begs the question "what is required to follow Jesus....really"? The truth is as simple as counting to three, hidden right in front of our faces.
The Bible talks of child-like faith, how faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains, Jesus talks of leaving everything and following Him, and Paul talks of being free from old testament law and that we are now bound by the law of Christ (to love God and love people).
When you take all of that, put it together, you get the truth...reality in plain sight. To follow Jesus, to really be called His means to give Him everything! That means trusting Him with everything; from your family, to your job or school, your health, down to every you own...all of it is His. It also means all your dreams, worrys, pain and struggles....every aspect, feeling, trial and victory is His as well. Even when your faith seems weak, like it's not enough, give it to Him. Even the smallest of faith, when given fully to Christ, is enough.
Then, the most important part, love God and people. Love like Jesus. Forget the doctrines and law, put people over those things. They were never meant to be the center of your faith, and you are no longer bound to traditions and old testament law...let them go. Love should always be out above all else. Love for God keeps you from continuing in sin. Love for people let's you open up and see the world from their view, letting you into their lives and open their eyes to the truth. No one is ever truly saved through fear tactics and bashing them over mistakes or the way they live.
Hidden deep within the scriptures are many secrets, secrets that let us learn more of who God is. How to follow Christ, however, is not one of those secrets. When your life is devoted to only learning scripture, you've not only wasted your life but also failed at the most basic requirement to following Christ...actively seeking Him, sharing His love with the world, and trusting Him in everything. Following Jesus requires two things, and two things only: love and actively living for Him. Study the Bible, learn of God and the past. Never, however, let that be your life. Dont search for hidden secrets to following Jesus, for that is no secret. Following Jesus is easy to understand, harder to do. It doesn't require a degree, years of study, or any kind of special ritual. Its written all in the new testament, clear as day and not in code. It requires love and faith....that's it. That is the simplicity of the Gospel.
--Rev. Antony "the Xtreme 1" Bogdon