Remember when you were young, and people would say things to you that just weren’t true. I remember going home to tell my Mom, and she would tell me “don’t listen to anyone that’s not telling the truth.” Very good advice! When you listen to lies enough, you begin to believe them.
Paul, in Galatians 1, deals with a situation where young believers have listened to those who are perverting the gospel. Paul is honestly astonished that this had happened. They had so readily embraced the gospel. They had followed Paul, and he must have been convinced they truly understood the grace of Jesus Christ. That is why he is so shocked at the instability of their belief.
Galatians 1:6 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:”
They were being taught that the gospel of Jesus was not enough. They were being taught a different method of justification. Some were calling what they were teaching the gospel, but Paul wanted them to understand that this was not what he taught! Some were going back to the Jewish system where rites and ceremonies of religion were the pathway to God. They were adding to the gospel!
Galatians 1:8-9 “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed”
Paul is so upset he says if he, or even an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel let them be accursed! Let him be doomed to destruction.
Today there are many that add to and take away from the gospel. Some add works to grace. Of course, when you add works it is no longer grace. Works imply we can merit God’s favor by our actions. Some religions believe baptism is necessary to inherit eternal life. If this were true, Jesus would not have said to the thief on the cross, “today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Some preach that Jesus is a son of God, not the one and only. Others preach that God is a God of love, and would not allow anyone to go to hell. I could go on and on, but the point is any salvation that is based on anything but grace alone is false!
Please do not misunderstand, when we accept Christ as our Savior it is important that we follow in obedience. As a matter of fact, it is evidence that we are saved, but it is not what saves us. Ephesians 2:8-9 makes that very clear.
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
We need to know the truth and uphold the truth. Paul was beyond upset when he heard what was happening to the Galatian church. We should feel the same way. Why don’t we get outraged at false doctrine? We are partly to blame for the lack of truth in our country concerning the gospel. We have sat back and held a passive attitude for far too long. We need to feel a desperation to reach people with the truth. We need to equip ourselves to be able to answer the false information being taught as the truth. Now is not a time to faint, and be comfortable, but to be vigilant for the souls of man.
I Peter 1:13 “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”
