“I marvel that you are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel.” Galatians 1:6
Dear Ones:
When the Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians, he was addressing “the churches of Galatia.” (1:2) His concern in writing the letter had to do with a deviation from certain truths of the Gospel. Why was this such an important issue? The answer lies in the revelation, or the manifestation of the glory of God. Why do we say this?
When Satan tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden, he did so knowing something that Eve probably did not realize fully. It was that God will NOT bless that which is not true, and that which is not His will. So, Satan knew if he could work on Eve’s mind, appealing to what she saw and felt, rather than wholly trusting what God said, he would have succeeded in putting Eve in a position where God could not bless her, as she would believe a lie. God works only, and with great certainty, according to the truth of WHO He IS, and what He SAYS. There is no divergence between the two issues. So, “Why does Paul address what he calls “another gospel?” The answer lies in his declaration: “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.” (4:19) Essential to the realization of this objective is an understanding, and adherence to the true Gospel.
In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he wrote: “For it (the gospel) is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believes.” (1:16) What is the gospel, but that compilation of saving, redeeming, and life-giving truths, given by God as very good news indeed, whereby He can, and will save the soul of any person who will truly call upon Him, trusting Him alone. The truths concerning the sacrifice of Christ, and His completed work on Calvary, must be known, and grasped, if the power of God according to them will be revealed in the saving of souls. Again, Satan knows that if these truths are hidden or distorted, compromised in an untruthful manner, the power of God will NOT be present to save. In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he declares this by writing: “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (3:5) The power of the Gospel to save mankind, and bring in the kingdom of God, is revealed when the truths of the Gospel are preached, taught, and lived, without compromise or dilution. The evidence of this is seen when he further writes again and again concerning the work the Spirit.
The primary distortion of the gospel in the Galatian churches had to do with the intrusion of the idea that “the works of the flesh,” as opposed to faith alone in Christ, was a possibility when considering man justifying himself before God. Paul makes God’s position on this matter so very clear: “…for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” The destructive idea that had begun to invade the believers in Galatia was that, even though they might have the knowledge of the Law, or ten commandments, they could, by some means in and of themselves, DO what the Law demanded. The problem with this was that they were trusting in themselves, and their efforts. If they were not living by faith, trusting Christ alone, then they were deceived into thinking that God would bless “their” efforts, and justify their deeds. This He would NOT do. The truths of the Gospel lead us ONLY to Christ, and faith alone in Him. This is why Paul writes of the Spirit, “….Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh?” (3:3) It was by the “hearing of faith,” hearing the truth of the Gospel, that the believers “received the Spirit.” As they had life by the Spirit, so they were were to WALK by the Spirit. The call was to faith in Christ alone, by the Spirit.
Dear Father, “Let nothing now our hearts divide.” Strengthen us to trust in Christ alone today, and forever. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Love, Dad