READ: Isaiah 47,48; Psalms 86; Galatians 1
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 1: 6 I am
astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in
the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no
gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are
trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
OBSERVATION: When someone we
know well deserts us by believing the false propagation of other people, we
become surprised and wonder how they uncritically accepted such false stories
as true. In such times, our surprise would reflect our disappointment, dissatisfaction,
and anger. We will be angrier with those who depart from us than we do against
those who misled our friends. Paul’s words express his astonishment and upset
against Galatians, who quickly accepted Judaizer’s false gospel that emphasized
the law of Moses and works. Paul sternly condemned the false gospel and told
them that there is no other Gospel other than the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The
Gospel of Christ enables us to live in the grace of God.
On the other hand, human-made gospel
compels us to do works to win God’s favor. Those who preached the false gospel
must have tried to distort the Gospel of Christ by adding their own opinions
and thoughts. They attempted to turn the attention of Galatians from Christ to human
efforts. The Bible never says that we receive God’s salvation through our works.
It says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not
from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast”
(Eph.2:8-9). In Romans 3:28, Paul writes, “we maintain that a person is justified
by faith apart from the works of the law.” A gospel that turns our focus away from
Jesus is an anti-gospel or, as Paul says, “no gospel at all.” It will cause nothing
but confusion. John Stott warns, “the church’s greatest troublemakers (now as
then) are not those outside who oppose, ridicule and persecute it, but those
inside who try to change the gospel.” A gospel without Christ, without the cross,
is an oxymoron, i.e., not good news at all. Therefore, we must reject any teaching
that separates us from Jesus Christ. Even if “an angel from heaven” or a famous
preacher preaches another gospel, we should denounce them and reject their
message.
APPLICATION: The Gospel of
Christ is “the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes”
(Rom.1:16). God has called me to live in the grace of Christ. I will not accept
anything that separates me from Christ. I will always hold the Gospel of Jesus
Christ firmly. I will proclaim the Gospel that liberates people and live for it.
PRAYER: Father God, thank
you for your gift of salvation. I receive it by grace, through faith. Lord,
help me to live in the grace of Christ. Holy Spirit, strengthen me to
preach the Gospel fearlessly. Amen.
- Arputharaj Samuel
+91 9538328573
Day - 268
No comments:
Post a Comment