No Other Gospel...

Paul in this week's passage used some very powerful choice words in speaking with the churches in Galatia. In part two of his salutation, he offers a warning against a false gospel.

 According to Barna Research “One of the most frequently used phrases in Christian circles is "the gospel." What is amazing is that very few adults can actually define what this term means. It could either refer to its literal translation, "good news;" or to the perspective that salvation is available only through the sacrificial death and subsequent resurrection of Jesus Christ and a person’s acceptance of Christ as their savior.

Among born-again Christians, only 60% correctly identified at least one meaning of “the gospel.” We see that the problem goes even deeper though in that we are facing a Biblically illiterate culture. Research shows fewer than half of all adults can name the four gospels. Many Christians cannot identify more than two or three of the disciples. Finally, 60 % of Americans can't name even five of the Ten Commandments. These are but a handful of the stats that are out there. 

This week we start to see the core of this letter in that the people at Galatia have turned away from the life-changing truth of God’s word to a false gospel. 

Paul’s message for us is that the real gospel stands alone, it doesn’t need any additions because it alone is what guides us to saving faith in Christ. The gospel alone is what brings about life change. Thus perverting or distorting the gospel is proven detrimental.

Paul is telling the churches if anyone including himself comes in and preaches a new gospel drag them out by their hair and let them be damned. Ouch...

Then he begins the transition to the next paragraph in verse ten which happens to be one of my favorite passages. Such wise words to live by.

Check it out for yourself – Hope to see you Sunday!

Galatians 1:6-10 

(6) I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from Him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— (7) not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to change the good news about the Messiah. (8) But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than what we have preached to you, a curse be on him! (9) As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone preaches to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him!

(10) For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.