DO NOT DISTORT THE GOSPEL
(Read the rest of the chapter)
Our new series on the book of Galatians, “NO OTHER GOSPEL” has to do with foundational truth that emphasizes the Gospel of Grace. Chapters 1-4 is about DOCTRINE (belief), while Chapters 5-6 talks about our DUTY (behavior). Whether you like it or not, all of us are theologians – the only question is, are we good ones or not? What enters your mind when you think of God? Whatever you believe affects your behavior. The main point of chapter 1 is DON’T DISTORT THE GOSPEL.
Paul introduced himself as an apostle, establishing his authority because he was not sent by men but by Jesus Christ and God the Father (Galatians 1:1). An apostle is somebody “sent out”. There were qualifications that the disciples of Jesus came up with so they can find the substitute for Judas (Acts 1:21) – someone who had that close encounter with Jesus –during His baptism, ministry, death, and resurrection. Paul was not around at that time, but Paul explains that God appeared to him (1 Corinthians 15:8-9). Then Paul greets the churches in Galatia, the audience of his letter. He greets them with grace and peace and presents the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ who gave Himself for our sins, rescued us from the present evil age, and that He followed the will of God the Father (Galatians 1:3-5).
THE TRUE GOSPEL CANNOT BE CHANGED
Paul begins by saying that he was amazed (shocked) because it was less than 20 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus, yet there were already distortions in the gospel– a different gospel is being shared and being embraced by the people (Galatians 1:6-7). The word “gospel” is from the Greek word euanggelio – the good news. What is the good news based on the Bible? It is that Jesus Christ came to die on the cross for our sins. Paul stated that even if they or an angel or any man would preach a different gospel, he should be accursed (Gk. anathema) – and be doomed to hell (Galatians 1:8-9). Why did he say this? Because nobody can change the gospel! But there was a problem: in Acts 15:1 and 5, we see that there were people adding certain requirements to salvation. For example, the ones from Judaism were adding law observance (ex. circumcision) as necessary to secure salvation. This is distorting the gospel! Paul explains that man is not justified by the works of the law, but through faith in Christ Jesus (Galatians 2:16). The gospel has to do with JUSTIFICATION – you are declared NOT GUILTY. This happens not because you obey the Law, but because you believed by faith in Christ Jesus. Paul wrote that if we get to heaven by the means of the Law, then Jesus died needlessly (Galatians 2:21).
THE TRUE GOSPEL IS FROM GOD
Paul wanted the Galatians to understand that the gospel he preached to them was not from man – but he has received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:11-12). Paul started sharing his testimony – what he was like before he encountered Jesus (Galatians 1:12-14). He was zealous for ancestral traditions (Judaism). Verses 15-16 shows the shift in his life – God reached out and set him apart for a purpose even before he was born – and allowed for him to encounter Jesus Christ so he could preach about Him among the Gentiles. This was given directly by God to Paul, a gracious mission extended to him who once persecuted Christians. In the succeeding verses, Paul explained that he went away to Arabia, and after three years, went to Jerusalem and spent time with Cephas (Peter). Verses 19-21 is where Paul mentions James (brother of Christ) – the leader of the Jerusalem church. Then Paul went to Syria and Cilicia.
Paul reminded the Corinthians too about the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-8). The gospel is about Christ’s death for our sins, that He was buried, the resurrection of Jesus, and how Jesus appeared to many individuals who were still alive during the time this epistle was written by Paul! The resurrection is important because it proves that Jesus is who He claims to be, it validates the true gospel, it guarantees our forgiveness and salvation, it assures us of life after death, and it proves our faith is grounded on history and not myth. John Lennox, a famous professor and mathematician, said “I believe Jesus rose from the dead because the historical evidence makes the resurrection the only explanation that fits the facts”.
Paul also wrote that it is by GRACE that we have been saved, we do not deserve it but were blessed with it, with full certainty, and that is through faith, and definitely not as a result of works so that no one will boast (Ephesians 2:8-10). How do we differentiate the true gospel from the distorted gospels?
The book of Jude v.3-4 also communicates that we must contend earnestly for the faith, holding on to the true gospel. Titus 2:11-12 emphasizes that grace was given to us, it should transform us and to live lives that please God. Paul was defending the true gospel for the pleasure of God, and not of men (Galatians 1:10). Do we stand for the true gospel in a way that points back to God?
THE TRUE GOSPEL TRANSFORMS
The gospel changes lives (Romans 1:16) and because of the transformation of Paul’s life, people glorified God (Galatians 1:22-24). That is our goal – that our lives, transformed by God’s forgiveness and grace, should point many others to Christ. Do you know the gospel? Do you have the evidence of the power of the gospel? Do you do what you can to spread the gospel to point many others to Him? May we live for the True Gospel, and may we never do anything that distorts its truth and its effects.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What is the true gospel?
How do people today tend to distort the gospel?
How do you know what is the true gospel?
Why should you not change the true gospel?
PRAY CARE SHARE IN ACTION
Pray for people who may believe a distorted gospel that is taught by religious cults, or false teachers. Do your part in sharing and defending the true gospel by your words and through your life.