John 6:16-21 And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

In all this the word immediately stood out. They had labored in the storm and immediately, as soon as they received Jesus, their labors were over and they were delivered.

It seems to be such a little thing but it points to the big picture about our struggles in this life and what receiving Jesus into our hearts accomplishes for us.

We are immediately delivered. As a song says, “I’m already there.” To the lost in will be meaningless drabble but if you are saved, you understand.

This is a miracle you can only see for yourself. You can talk about it until you are blue in the face but they will never truly understand until they themselves are delivered.

Luke 10:10-11 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

I’m already there.

Romans 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

The Greek word for simple here is akakos.

Guileless (Without Guile):

lit., “without evil” (a negative kakos, “evil”), signifies “simple, guileless,” Rom 16:18, “simple,” of believers (perhaps == unsuspecting, or, rather, innocent, free from admixture of evil); in Hbr 7:26, RV, “guileless” (AV, “harmless”), the character of Christ (more lit., “free from evil”). Cp. Sept., Job 2:3, 8:20; Pro 1:4, 14:15.
See Harmless. (Source Vine’s Expository Dictionary)

Allow me to remaster the definition in a way that makes sense in light of the danger of deception which Paul speaks about in this opening verse.

Faithless acceptance.

It takes on the form of trusting men to do your thinking for you. It is easier to accept than it is to investigate. Good words and fair speech spoken by the Serpent are a perversion of the truth. It may sound good, but it isn’t good for you.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

That takes time, effort and sacrifice. It is easier to just buy the CD, DVD, or book and let someone else do the thinking for you. That is the relational equivalent of hiring someone to date your wife. It does nothing to improve your personal relationship with God.

Even this devotional, if used to replace real study time, is a hindrance to relationship if this is all you have the time for. None of us who provide you with encouragement of words would ever want this to replace your quiet time with God.

People who come to church each Sunday and snicker at those who only come at Christmas and Easter are no better off if the only sustenance they get is the Sunday Sermon.