Gospel 2 + 2 = 4: Nothing to Argue About

"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6: 29)

That is the one work. Either we believe the Gospel, or we do not believe it.

Here is the Good News in simplest form:

"38Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." (Acts 13: 38-39)

The issue is not a matter of the head, but one of the heart.

Paul explained why:

"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:" (Ephesians2: 1-2)

Smart or dumb, great or small, none of it matters if you are dead in your sins. Man does not need information, he does not wealth or standing, he needs life. This need exceeds his understanding, yet without this life one cannot discern spiritual things.

Man has a deeper problem than ignorance:

"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good."  (Psalm 14: 1)

In his heart, not in his head, lies the problem, and the heart speaks of the life, of the very essence of a man, not just the organ which pumps blood throughout the body:

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Proverbs 4: 23)

The Gospel is 2 + 2 = 4. There is no arguing it, there is no discussing it -- there is "believe it or not."

So prophesied Isaiah:

"Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?" (Isaiah 53: 1)

The grace of God is now revealed to all men (Titus 2: 11-12). Either you accept it or you don't.


Because it is a matter of belief and not just recognition, Jesus magnified the law to its proper height, bringing all men who trust in their own righteousness to the end of the themselves, like the rich young ruler who sought how to inherit eternal life (Luke 18: 18-27). As long as a man thinks that he can "do something" to inherit something else, there is no talking to them, their is no convincing them otherwise.

For this reason Paul counseled believers not to argue with people:

"But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject." (Titus 3: 9-10)

John warned the same for his audience:

"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." (2 John 9)

The Gospel is so simple, that any further discussion only inflames a man flesh, both a believer and one who has not receive the Gospel. It is the Holy Spirit who reveals the Gospel to all. Paul did not receive the Gospel through investigation, but through revelation:

"For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1: 12)

Either you see Jesus "As He is", or you do not.