I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble 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 the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As 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. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:6-10 ESV)
The Bible teaches that there are a lot of things that are not negotiable because they are from the Almighty God and His instruction is perfect and will stand when all else fails. We don't have room today to talk about all the non-negotiables in the Bible, so we will focus on one.
The Gospel is not open to be negotiated. It is plain. If is simple. Yet it is vast its depth and application. The Apostle Paul warns that if someone twists, changes, alters, adds to, takes away from, or teaches a blatant different Gospel, that such a person will be cursed. The message about Jesus, God the Son, who came, lived and willingly suffered and died to satisfy the wrath of God in payment for our sin. This same Jesus who after 3 days rose again displaying His power and authority, this Jesus now sits in Heaven at the right hand of the Father holding all authority to judge the living and the dead. The message that if you recognize your sin, asking God to forgive you based on your belief in the name of Jesus. He will not only forgive you but will give you the very righteousness of Jesus, this is so full of the Grace of God. You cannot earn it you cannot negotiate it, it is a free gift of grace. In this process you are repentantly surrendering your life to your new Lord, Jesus. Your life is now for Him and He gives you His Holy Spirit to take up residence in you to guide, empower and help you along the journey of transformation in this life. When this life is over Jesus has made a home in Heaven for to enjoy the bounty and blessings of God for eternity.
Anyway, here is the reminder. To teach a different Gospel or a message contrary to the Gospel as found in the Bible is wrong. It is something we all need to take seriously or we will be cursed. I do not believe that Paul is warning those who are on the journey of understanding what the Bible teaches about the Gospel, that they better hurry up and get it right. No instead I am certain that Paul is referring to those who would teach a different Gospel which leads people astray.
Recently I read a book that talked about how the purpose of the Gospel is for us to love the nation of Israel. In fact in that book (I will not name it here that is a different blog) the author seems to believe that all of Gods purposes are centered on Israel. Yet the Biblical Gospel finds us centered on Jesus. We find the purposes of the Gospel to be about the Golry of God, the supremacy of Jesus, how we need to be reconciled to God through Jesus so we can begin to love God and be a part of His family.
So beware of those who try to set your focus away from Jesus, it may sound nice and innocent enough but if it takes away from the Golry of God or the supremacy of Christ then it stinks of a false Gospel.
Stay focused on the Biblical Truth of the Gospel of Jesus.
Pastor Bruce
