Easy as 1, 2, 3...

“Easy-peasy” is an expression most people understand.  It is an informal, playful way of saying that something is very easy or requires little effort.  As a young boy, I used this expression to show off in front of my friends when they dared me to do something they wouldn’t attempt themselves.  I would say, “Easy-peasy!”  or I might declare, “That’s easy as 1, 2, 3!”  Perhaps I was trying to reassure myself as much as my friends, hoping I wouldn’t embarrass myself if my attempt to shine ended in failure.

We can look at God’s plan of salvation in a similar way.  Scripture invites us to turn to the Lord, trust Him, and discover that He is the answer to our troubles and our lack of peace.  Psalm 34:8 encourages us, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.”  God invites us to experience His goodness and discover for ourselves the peace and forgiveness He offers.

Isaiah 35:8 speaks of a highway called the Way of Holiness, saying that even a wayfaring person will not go astray while walking on it.  God has not made His offer of salvation impossible to understand or beyond our reach.

Accepting Jesus—the Prince of Peace—as Lord and Savior is not complicated.  We must humble ourselves before God, acknowledge our sins, and sincerely turn to Him in faith, trusting Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation.  In that sense, it is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

However, the simplicity of receiving God’s gift of salvation should never cause us to underestimate the greatness of what Christ has done for us.  Jesus died a horrific death on the cross to pay the price for our sins.  We should never take that act of love for granted.  As John 15:13 declares, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

It was certainly not easy for Jesus, God’s Son, to willingly sacrifice His life so that you and I might receive eternal life.  Yet He willingly endured the cross because of His great love for us.

Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us of this wonderful truth: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of your-selves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Thanks be to God for His mercy and grace!  When all our attempts to satisfy the deep longing in our souls have left us empty, He invites us to come to Him for the peace, forgiveness, and eternal life that only He can give.  Salvation is not something we earn through our own efforts; it is God’s gift, made possible through the sacrifice of His Son.

Receiving that gift may be as easy as 1, 2, 3—but never forget what it cost Jesus to make it possible.

Written by,

Papa Boyd