Only Jesus
Gordon Crook, PastorGrace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas
“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2
There has been so much added to the gospel over the years. People want something more than “just Jesus.” It seems like it might not be enough. There must be more. Maybe some rues to follow. Maybe some secret knowledge needed to be really spiritual. “For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;” 1 Corinthians 1:22-23.
Paul could have spoken about all of these things. He knew the law better than most. He certainly knew a lot about Greek philosophy and Roman mythology. He certainly could have made up some good rules. He could have made himself to be important. “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14
Paul’s only concern was to preach Jesus Christ crucified. His purpose was always to make sure the gospel rested solely on Jesus’ finished work on the cross. Wisdom cannot be found in the many words of men. The wisdom of God is found only in Jesus.
Salvation is found only in Jesus. No religion of men or effort of any sort can save a man’s soul. Only Jesus. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3
Paul warned Timothy about all of the other things that would try to creep in. “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.” 1Timothy 1:4. “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:” 1 Timothy 6:20. The desire for something additional from man has always been a problem.
There are many “different” ideas about the “gospel.” Again, Paul warns about this in Galatians 1:6-9 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
Joseph Smith claimed an angel came and gave him the “correct” gospel. However, it is a “gospel” of works with a lot of supposedly new knowledge. It is exactly what Paul warned about. That is easy to see. But there are many in Christianity that also are preaching a “different gospel.”
If the gospel you are listening to is not about Jesus crucified and risen, it is another gospel. If it gets something from you, it is another gospel. The “gospel” is “good news.” My effort is not good news. My effort is iffy at best.
Paul helps us understand the true gospel which is: Jesus paid the price for our sins, Jesus lives in us, and Jesus sanctifies us. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” Galatians 2:20.
This removes all self righteousness and all self glorying. We cannot take credit for any part of our spiritual maturity. “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14. It is all about Jesus, and it is all from Jesus. “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Romans 7:18
We need to heed Paul and realize that we should be preaching Jesus, and Him crucified. We do not need additional worldly wisdom to guide us. We do not need special prophesies of our lives. We do not need secret revelations from the Bible. We only need Jesus. He is enough, because He is all and in all; the fulness of the Godhead.
To some, this will seem silly and weak. To others, it is not enough. But, for those that want to know God and have full fellowship with Him, it is enough. “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18. “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” 1Corinthians 1:30.
