March 9 “Walking In Wisdom”
After returning to Antioch, Paul learned that Judaizers, (Jewish Christians who believed in salvation through both grace and works) were stirring up trouble in the churches of Galatia. These Judaizers were teaching a false gospel of Gentiles being required to keep the Jewish laws in order to be saved. In response, Paul wrote a letter to the members calling them back to the one true gospel. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. “ (Eph. 2:8-9) A gospel, Paul reminded them, given to him by a divine source; “For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” (vs. 12) (You can read more about Paul’s life changing encounter with the Lord in Acts 9)
“Whenever someone advances a message other than the gospel of Jesus Christ or deviates from what the Bible clearly teaches, run for your life! That person promotes death, not life.”.......Dr. Charles Stanley
The adding and taking away from God’s Word is pretty serious business. So serious Paul doesn’t just tell us to stay away from those who teach a distorted gospel, he calls for a curse upon them declaring, “Even if we, or an angel of heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you any gospel contrary to what you have received, he is to be accursed!” (vs. 1:8-9) In 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Paul says those who teach a different gospel are servants of Satan, and Proverbs 30:5-6 cautions, “Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words or He will reprove you and you will be proved a liar.”
Whether it’s an ear tickling gospel, a prosperity gospel, or a works based gospel, if it doesn’t line up with God’s gospel, it is a false gospel. False gospels keep us chained to rules and laws. False gospels say there are many roads to God. False gospels lead to death and destruction. And false gospels tell us that through our own efforts we can earn everlasting life. But the one true gospel of Jesus Christ gives us freedom and joy, not bondage and despair. The one true gospel of Jesus Christ wipes clean our record, declaring us innocent and blameless. And the one true gospel of Jesus Christ shows us God’s great love in that He gave His only Son to die so that we may live. (John 3:16)
“The gospel gives an explanation for our existence, clarity for our confusion, grace for our guilt, meaning for our morality, and answers for our adversaries. The gospel makes sense of the world while filling life with meaning and purpose.” (Dan DeWitt)
As fallen people with fallen hearts, we cannot fathom such a pure, perfect, and unconditional love as is God’s love. A love whose height knows no limits, and whose depth knows no end. And most wonderful of all, a love not earned but offered freely to everyone who receives Jesus as their Savior. Once we were dead in sin, separated from our Father in heaven. But through the grace of God and the blood of His only begotten Son, we can be reconciled back to our Father in heaven forever. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23) This is the only means of salvation. This is the Good News of Jesus Christ. And this is the one and only true gospel!
