June 17
“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the Gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed,” Galatians 1:6-9.
The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians is an Epistle or Letter that was written not only to one congregation but “to the churches of Galatia.” Originally, these people lived in Gaul before they migrated to Asia Minor. The apostle Paul had visited the members of these congregations on his first, second, and third missionary journeys. The people in those congregations were very near and dear to him.
However, there was something that deeply concerned him. The people were visited by false religious teachers whom we refer to as Judaizers. They insisted that in order to be saved the people had to follow the Old Testament ceremonial laws. They insisted that faith in Christ was not enough to save anyone. They maintained that in order to be saved the people had to fulfill the ceremonial laws such as circumcision, and that they had to observe all of the Old Testament Jewish festivals.
Paul had taught the Galatians that we are saved not by our works, but by God’s grace for Christ’s sake through faith alone. The false Judaizing teachers placed everything into question that Paul had taught the people previously. Paul was amazed that the people fell for the teaching that in order to be saved there are certain works that we have to perform. “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the Gospel of Christ.” Really, Paul says that it was not a different gospel – it was no gospel at all! It was not a message of good news. It was not a message of forgiveness of sins through faith in the Savior. It was a message of works – that we must work to get right with God – which is impossible.
A message of salvation by good works perverts the Gospel of Christ. The emphasis on good works is pushed into the foreground, and the message of forgiveness through faith in Christ is placed on the back burner!
Paul’s summary is that if anyone tells you that you can be saved and go to heaven on the basis of the good things you can do, tell him or her that they are under the curse of God and are on their way to hell! Paul’s final admonition is, “If someone comes to you with a new gospel, with a new way of salvation, don’t fall for it!”
The heart of the saving Gospel is clear: “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation . . . (God) made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him,” 2 Corinthians 5:19, 21.
Remember the words of Jesus: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves,” Matthew 7:15. False teachers do not have the salvation of anyone at heart. They only want to build their own kingdom. Believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ and continue in the saving faith. Amen.