NO OTHER GOSPEL
“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.” (Galatians 1:6-9 ESV)
Paul is warning us about one of the basic facts of life–there are different gospels. Of course, as he points out, there is only one TRUE Gospel? Any other religious idea does not offer forgiveness and eternal life. Every other approach to God is based on man’s attempt to curry favor by means of good works – what we attempt to do to please God. THE Gospel is based on what Christ has done on the cross for us, cleansing us of all sin.
The Law reveals the guilt of sin
And makes us conscience-stricken;
But then the Gospel enters in
The sinful soul to quicken.
Come to the cross, trust Christ, and live;
The Law no peace can ever give,
No comfort and no blessing.
(Salvation Unto Us Has Come, Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, #555, stanza 8)
Almighty God, thank You for using Paul to warn us against false gospels. Protect me from such harmful deceit by keeping me grounded in THE soul-saving Gospel of my Lord Jesus Christ. In His precious name. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
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