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Back to the Core: Rediscovering the Simplicity of Faith

In a world filled with questions about who God is and how we can truly know Him, the Bible continues to shine as a light. Its message is not a complex system of doctrines, but a call to trust, obedience, and hope.

When we approach Scripture with an honest and open heart—free from theological baggage—we discover a simple yet powerful truth: there is one God, and one sent by Him—Jesus, the Messiah.

One God, the Living Father

Throughout the Bible, the conviction is clear: God is one. Not as an abstract concept, but as a personal and living Father. The words of Deuteronomy 6:4 still speak deeply:

"The LORD is our God, the LORD is one."

This one God is the Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth—the same God to whom Jesus prayed, on whom He fully depended. In John 17:3, Jesus names Him:

"...the only true God—and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent."

Here, the distinction is simple and profound:
God is the One who sends;
Jesus is the One who is sent.

The Son Who Obeys and Is Glorified

In the Gospels, we see that Jesus addresses God as "Father" more than 160 times. Everything Jesus has was given to Him by the Father—even the people who come to Him (John 6:37; 17:6–9).

Jesus is revealed as the Son of God—born of Mary, filled with God's Spirit, confirmed through miracles, and faithful even unto death. He is the promised Messiah, the Savior of the world. His entire life reflects deep surrender to the will of His Father.

"The Father is greater than I." (John 14:28)
"I do nothing on My own but speak just what the Father has taught Me." (John 5:19; 8:28)

After His death, God raises Him and gives Him a place of honor:

"God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah." (Acts 2:36)
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5)

This is not a man glorifying himself, but God lifting up His faithful Son.

The Spirit of God: Active, Guiding, Life-Giving

The Spirit of God is His breath, His presence, His power among people. From the very beginning—hovering over the waters in Genesis—we see the Spirit at work: in the prophets, in Jesus, and later in the hearts of believers.

This Spirit leads, renews, and brings life. It is not an abstract force, but the very energy of God moving through history and within us.

Not Complexity, But Trust

When we read the Bible without pre-shaped theological systems, we find a faith marked by simplicity and deep trust—not intellectual complexity.

• Trust that God is holy.
• Trust that Jesus lives.
• Trust that the Spirit is working and renewing.

Faith as It Was First Proclaimed

When we look at the earliest message in the book of Acts, we don't hear complex creeds. We hear a clear, simple call:

Believe that God raised Jesus from the dead.
Believe that He is the Messiah.
Believe that through Him, forgiveness and new life are possible.

The first followers of Jesus proclaimed one God, and one Lord—Jesus, exalted by God. Faith did not begin in councils or doctrines, but with a risen Lord and a living God.

In Conclusion: An Invitation to Wonder

In a time when faith is often tangled up in tradition, systems, and centuries of debate, there is great value in returning to Scripture itself. Not to construct new dogmas, but to listen again—with an open heart—to what is truly written.

There is one God—the Father.
There is one Lord—Jesus, the Messiah.
There is one Spirit—God's own life-giving power.

This is the foundation. This is the invitation: to rediscover the wonder, the clarity, and the power of the original message of faith.

Firm Foundation: Faith and Good Works

When we reflect on the heart of faith, a key question quickly arises: How do we truly live out our faith? Many people desire to go beyond rigid doctrines or religious routines and to live according to God's Word—rooted both in heart and in action in what is true.

For that to happen, our faith needs a foundation that is steady and trustworthy. Scripture gives us clear guidance:

"Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone."
(Ephesians 2:20)

This verse points to a foundation built upon the testimony of the prophets and apostles, with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. The central point is this: the voice of Christ is primary. Jesus is the Messiah sent by God—our teacher and example. His words are our light, and His life is our guide.

Not every prophetic or apostolic statement from the past is automatically binding. If a statement appears only once and does not align with the enduring message of justice, mercy, and truth taught by Jesus, it should not be elevated above His teaching. The ultimate authority rests in the life and words of Jesus—the true cornerstone.

Connected to the Vine

Jesus said:

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener."
(John 15:1)

This image is rich in meaning. Christ is the source of our spiritual life. The Father is the one who tends, nurtures, and prunes that life. Believers are the branches, called to remain connected to Christ. Without Him, there is no real fruit, no lasting growth.

This connection to Christ is not just a mystical feeling—it is a practical, visible reality. Jesus teaches that those who remain in Him will bear fruit. This fruit is seen in our character, our actions, and our relationships.

The Fruit of Discipleship

Discipleship becomes real in everyday life:

• Character: love, humility, faithfulness
• Behavior: obeying Jesus' teachings, prayer, reading Scripture, sharing the gospel
• Relationships: showing grace, offering forgiveness, serving others

Justice and Good Works

Faith without action is incomplete. The apostle James puts it clearly:

"Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
(James 2:17)

As believers, we are called to participate in God's work in the world—not to earn salvation, but to reflect God's nature. In Jewish tradition, this is known as tsedakah—righteousness expressed through good deeds: prayer, fasting, giving.

Jesus affirmed these practices and gave them new focus. In Matthew 6, He teaches us how to pray, fast, and give—not for show, but in sincerity, as a response to the Father's love. These are concrete acts of faithful living.

Conclusion: A Living Foundation

Our foundation is not a rigid system of doctrines, but a living, relational one: built on the testimony of the prophets and apostles, with Jesus as the living cornerstone. From this foundation, we grow—like branches on the vine—through connection, fruitfulness, and truth.

True faith is not just expressed in beliefs or emotions, but through love, prayer, justice, and good works. As we stay rooted in Christ and follow His example, we become branches that bear lasting fruit—not for ourselves, but for the glory of God, the Father of all.