Peace, joy, grace — these are gifts from a gracious and loving God. Blossom, original oil painting by Steve Henderson; licensed open edition print at Framed Canvas Art.
I’ll be the first to admit that I make things too complicated, and as an astute and thoughtful reader wrote me about a recent article, The Kingdom of Heaven — How Do We Get There?,
“Isn’t it enough just to believe?”
I would say that he knocked me on my backside if I hadn’t already been sitting, and his point was that, In Acts 16: 30-31 the jailer in charge of the apostle Paul and Silas asked them,
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
My correspondent wrote: Paul and Silas “did not say change your life, or walk with God, or submit to Him and follow where He leads you. They said ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.’ It’s that simple–why make it any harder than it has to be?”
For those Christians who feel like they just don’t belong, somehow, The Misfit Christian is encouragement that not only do you belong, you may be called to lead others to thinking more deeply for themselves. Paperback and digital at Amazon.com.
Good question, and in my pitiful defense I point out that Paul and Silas’s answer is post-Jesus-on-earth, and I was discussing the things Jesus flat out told us, like becoming as a little child (Matthew 18: 2) and why this is important, but the point is well made,
Is it enough — Just to Believe?
Please read the rest at my Commonsense Christianity article, Is It Enough — Just to Believe? Those of you who are regular readers know that I am unable to print the entire article in entirety here, and depend upon the graciousness of my readers to click through and finish the article — and to comment! You may comment either on this site, or at BeliefNet.
This article is linked to Marriage and Missions, Graced Simplicity, Serving Joyfully, Jenni Mullinix, Shine Blog, Mom on Demand, Missional Woman, Simple Moments Stick, Womanhood with Purpose, Essential Things, That Friday Blog Hop, A Look at the Book, Jenny Evolution, Family Fun Friday, Larson Wife, Weekend Winddown, Moms the Word, Women of Worship, Mom Moments, A Life in Balance, Mopping the Floor
This Woman Writes by Carolyn Henderson 
Amen! Just believe. Sometimes I see Christian struggle just to share their faith because the “Christian” circle has complicated faith so much…to the point of making the believer feel they need a theology degree to explain what happened. Kinda of mind blowing…but sad. –Just Believe! Stopping by today from Simple Moments Stick. Enjoy the post. Thought provoking.
Cathy — Just believing is so incredibly difficult, and that’s without the Christian circle you mention complicating matters with their, “Yes, but . . .” comments. Just believing means stepping out in a scary, scary place, telling God, “I see that You say this. It looks like it means this, and I am taking You at Your word. Please help me with this.”
Generally, my most intense prayers are between me and God alone, and I certainly wouldn’t share them in the midst of the Sunday school circle!
As always, thanks for sharing again at the #WWDParty.