Galatians 1:8-9. 8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
The reason why a false gospel is such a big deal is because it is a lie against God. This is why Paul refuses to simply says “live and let live.” If we believe lies about God, pretty soon our whole life will be a lie, and we will be accursed. Paul is adamant, the gospel is bigger than any apostle, church, denomination, religion, or heavenly being. To change it is to attempt to change God and that is to be cursed (eternally condemned).
The true gospel is clear: 1) We are more wicked than we ever imagined. We are so sinful that we can contribute nothing, no good deeds, to our own salvation. 2) We are more loved than we ever hoped. We are saved by faith in Jesus’ work (his life, death, and resurrection) and nothing else.
I grew up in a Christian culture that was constantly asking us to surrender our lives to Jesus. Dedicate. Re-dedicate. Over and over. This usually happened at a camp or a revival service of some sort. Maybe you experienced this too. Or maybe you were told to ask Jesus into your heart or life. The problem is that this approach makes our response the thing that saves us. We aren’t saved by Jesus; we are saved by our dedication or our changed life, with Jesus as an add-on. Yes, true salvation brings dedication and change, but these are never the cause of true salvation.
Some of you grew up (and maybe still attend) churches that only taught Jesus as a good teacher or example. Anyone who is good or sincere will make it to God’s Heaven. But how good is good enough? Remember: more wicked than you could ever imagine. So wicked in fact that God’s Son had to die for you.
Then, of course, there’s legalism. Maybe you grew up or are still trapped in a legalistic religious culture. Paul is going to spend a lot of time talking about the legalism of his day, and so will we.
Getting the gospel right is no joke. The stakes are high. Some of you may even think that you have been saved but you haven’t because you are trusting in a “different gospel.” Make sure today that you are trusting in Christ alone for salvation. Jesus + Nothing.
You: In what way can you relate to any of the “different gospels” above?
You in Christ: Are you trusting in Christ alone to save you?
Christ in you: Is your faith in Christ producing dedication, or is your dedication the object of your faith?
Pray: Father, help me to identify and trust in the true gospel of Jesus. His life. His death. His resurrection. His life in me. Amen.
To Live is Christ 