“Our Daily Bread” http://odb.org/
The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie http://www.harvest.org/devotional
Written by Alan Kearns for Pastor Jim Lee for “The Domain for Truth” @ veritasdomain.wordpress.com
Original post @ https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2023/08/12/guest-post-lamenting-before-god-2/
Guest Post: Only One Gospel
August 12, 2023 by SLIMJIM
Note: This is a guest post since presently I am teaching overseas. This is by Alan Kearns. His blog be found here.
ONLY ONE GOSPEL
I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!
Galatians 1:6-8 (NASB)
Today’s post is a summarized version of a sermon I preached recently. Even though the main focus of the scripture in Galatians 1 is the leading astray of Jewish believers in Galatia, it is very applicable to the church and believers in the 21st Century.
Galatia was a region in present-day central Turkey which had been occupied by the European Celts in the 3rd Century BC, followed by the Romans in 25 BC. Paul brought Christianity to the cities of the region on his first missionary journey in about 45 AD. The letter by Paul to these new believers primarily addresses the problem created by the enemies of Paul amongst the Jews, who felt betrayed by him in converting to faith in Christ.
These Jews went out of their way to damage and undo the work of Paul for the Gospel, seeking to misguide new believers away from the Gospel of Grace in Christ alone. Two aspects of note in the beginning of Galatians are, first, Paul claims that he writes by the authority of Christ and God alone, and not by authority given by men. The second point being that there is no warm greeting in this epistle, unlike other writings (e.g. 1Cor.1:4, Phil.1:3, Col.1:3). Galatians has the briefest of salutations before getting into the reason for Paul’s writing.
As I said previously, the Galatian believers were being lead astray by Jewish enemies of Paul, telling them that they could not be saved by belief in Christ alone – that they needed to also believe and follow the Mosaic Law of works. Paul gets straight to the point in verse 6: “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another…” These are strong words, brethren! Paul accuses them of desertion (just like a soldier), to corrupt themselves. But note who they are deserting; “Him” or more precisely God – what a dreadful thought. Indeed departure from the Gospel of Grace is departure from the God of Grace. What we read in the first verses of Galatians is the false gospel of legalism directly opposed to the Gospel of Grace through Jesus Christ; the first being no gospel at all.
“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
— Acts 4:12 (NASB)
The last two verses of our scripture today relate to the distortion of the gospel amongst the Galatians; stating that even if Paul or even an angel should preach anything contrary to the true gospel, they were “to be accursed!” These very strong words which are further re-iterated in 1 Corinthians 16:22: “If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed.” Accursed is from the Greek word anathema which means to be banished from God – damned to Hell! This is the dreadful fate awaiting anyone who preaches a false message rather than the true Gospel of Christ.
Dear Reader, the message of Paul to the Galatians regarding false gospels applies to our world today. There are many false gospels being promoted that either teach that works will get you to Heaven, or that are morally weak leading many into liberalism and a watered-down God, Christ, and the Word of God. Many come to mind, such as the Church of England, the prosperity gospel, the Catholic church, JWs, Mormons, and Muslims just to name a few – all of which are leading many thousands to Hell.
C.H.Spurgeon says: “morality may keep you out of jail, but it takes the blood of Jesus Christ to keep you out of Hell.” Brethren in these last days we have a duty to serve God two ways; 1) Stand up for the Gospel of Christ regardless of what our enemies say, 2) Speak up for the Gospel of Christ, telling the Good News at every opportunity – it is a matter of eternal significance.
************************************
P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !! If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ?? Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ… https://godsmanforever.com
To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…
You say you are a “born again” believer… BUT is your soul “ON FIRE” for the Lord ?? If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/
God's group 