To be obscure is to cover or hide the true meaning of something. Sometimes it is by withholding information. At other times it may mean twisting or implying a different meaning to something. It could be simply adding to the meaning to complicate the understanding by those involved. If something is presented to you that fits your lifestyle it is easy to believe the obscurity. You no longer search for the truth because your belief system is satisfied. This happens often in religious circles, so much so that these obscurities are believed as truth, yet they are a lie! The Apostle Paul deals with this often in the churches that he has started.
In the book of Galatians, Paul addresses the churches at Galatia. He starts by reminding them of the truths that the churches were established upon. It was Paul who preached to the Jews and Gentiles alike that Jesus was the author of salvation. He taught it is a free gift of grace through faith in Jesus. In Galatians 1:4, he reminds them that Jesus died to deliver them from this evil world of sin and deception, of works religion, and other false teachings. Paul had taught them the great truth of salvation in Jesus, and Jesus alone. This was to be kept at the forefront of their minds. However, we see in verse 6 that they were once again embracing the customs of the Jewish religion which was placing more value on the customs, therefore, negating the truth of the gospel. They were now in the position that many religions are today. Their religion was based on works plus Jesus. This thinking devalued the grace that God extended and cheapened the death of Jesus. It allowed man to take some measure of credit for his own salvation. They had embraced doctrines that tended to obscure salvation by grace through faith. They had allowed false teachers, Jewish leaders, to come into the churches and teach that certain rituals such as circumcision were necessary to obtain eternal life. In verse 6, Paul says he marvels that they were so easily and quickly convinced to muddy the waters of the truth of salvation.
Galatians 1:2-6 “ And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:”
I can almost hear the frustration and passion in Paul’s voice as he reminds them of the precious blood that was shed for them to free them from their sins. To free them from the religious rituals and laws that had become burdensome. In Ephesians 2:8-10, Paul reminds the church at Ephesus that it is by grace through faith that we are saved. He proclaims loud and clear that it is not our works that save us because that would give credit to us for our salvation. However, he does remind them that if you are a true believer, you were created in Jesus to do good works. James makes it clear in James 2:17-18 that if we are truly saved, we will have works. Our love and gratitude for our salvation will prompt us to want to do things that please our Savior. We will want others to have what we have in Christ, and we will show them who dwells within us by our actions. Our salvation is not based on a religion, but on a relationship. It is because of that relationship that we want to do works that promote the gospel. We want to serve our fellow man because that is what Jesus would do. We have compassion because He has compassion for us. We want to serve because we serve the greatest servant that ever lived.
Ephesians 2:8-10 “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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
James 2:17-18 “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.”
We need to hang on to these truths and not allow the gospel to be obscure to us. The true meaning of the gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ. He came to save us, to free us from the bondage of sin and is now in Heaven as our advocate, our Savior, and our friend. He is the King of Kings. Don’t allow religion to deceive you into believing that anyone or any church has authority greater than the Bible. God’s word is our authority on salvation. the Bible proclaims there is only one way to Heaven, and it’s through the blood of Jesus. He is the only one who can forgive or absolve our sins. Every person who will be in Heaven for all eternity is nothing more than a sinner saved by grace. Our redemption is Jesus plus nothing. Jesus is enough! Praise God!
