The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 11:3, “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” 

Paul was referring to how simple it is to be saved, while many preachers, even today, try to make it hard and complex. Some preachers desire personal glory and try to impress their audiences with deep and intellectual orations.

Dr. J. Vernon McGee said, “I cannot overemphasize the need for more simplicity in getting out the Word of God. So many of our young preachers are the products of seminaries which are trying to train intellectuals.”

Vainglory is a natural fault of man. Preachers are just as filled with faults as other men. But, fortunately I learned a long time ago that it is much better to be understood through simple language than it is to be impressive but not understood. When a speaker talks in terms that are not understood by others, he is not communicating, just speaking. People are in desperate need to hear and understand God’s Word (the Bible).

Nothing is as misunderstood today as the process of salvation. So many preachers, in their ignorance, have made getting saved such a burdensome and difficult task that many people are in doubt of their salvation or give up on the process. The truth is that we are all inferior to what God desires in us. We are sinners, every one. Getting saved is really a very simple process.

The good and wonderful news is that God accepts anyone, regardless of how bad he may have been, if he sincerely believes in Christ and trusts his soul to Him. I often use the thief on the cross beside Jesus as my illustration of just how easy it is to be saved by simply believing in and trusting in Christ as personal Savior.

Unfortunately, many preachers are not only unclear about how simply one can be saved, but they impose impossible demands on congregants and others seeking salvation. Because of this, many are discouraged. Many drop out of church altogether.

There are also people who never attend church because they do not feel “good enough.” The truth is that not one of us is “good” by God’s standards. I have known men who would not serve as deacons because they did not feel good enough. Someone wisely said that any man who felt worthy and good enough would not be qualified to serve.

We know that salvation is simple from clear statements in the Bible. One good example is found in Romans 10:13, where Paul declares, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Of course to effectively call on the Lord requires sincere belief in Him, and it also takes a contrite and humble spirit. It is unfortunate that many people are just too proud to ever feel humble and in need of a Savior. These will likely never find salvation and consequently miss Heaven.

In summary, Christian theology is complex. There are many spiritual things that God has not chosen to explain to us, and God is never obligated to do so. Being saved is not complex. It is indeed simple. John makes a statement that correlates those of Paul. In John 3:36 he says, “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”