Devotional for the Week 15 Nov 2004

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Devotional For the Week 15th November 2004

Gems from Galatians: Another Gospel
Scripture Reference: Galatians 1:6-10

What is our motive for believing in the gospel?
In the passage in Galatians 1:6-10, the Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatian Christians to warn them of the severe consequence of rejecting and distorting the gospel. Some false teachers had infiltrated in the church and taught that circumcision, observance of certain rituals and laws were still necessary for one to receive salvation.

Paul highlighted 3 steps to preserve the purity of the gospel:

1. No Other Gospel (Gal 1: 6-7)
The truth underlying this passage is that there is only one gospel and there is only one way to be saved from the bondage of sin and death. There is only one way to true freedom in Christ. For a Christian to have heard and received the gospel and afterward turn away from it is foolishness.

There are two implications of turning away from the gospel:
· It is a turning from the calling of God. "You are deserting him who called you." (v.6)
· It is a turning away from grace. In Galatians 5:4 Paul says: 'You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace."

2. No Distortion of the Gospel (Gal 1:8-9)
The second truth that is that if a person rejects or distorts the gospel, he stands under God’s curse, whether he is an angel or an apostle. The Greek term, ‘anathema’ or ‘accursed’ is a strong word. It means to be cut off from Christ and doomed to eternal punishment (2 Thess 1:9; 1 Cor 16:22). Paul warned of the serious consequence for distorting the divine grace of the gospel, for it is God’s way to salvation.

3. No Men Pleasers but God Pleasers (Gal 1:10)
The third truth is that the servant of the gospel should seek to please God alone, not men. Therefore, in order to serve Christ — to advance His glory and achieve His saving purpose — Paul opposed the perversion of the gospel with all his might, whether it pleased people or not. For the glory of Christ and for the good of those who may yet believe the gospel, Paul was willing to speak the unpleasant truth. Yet note that it was never Paul's aim to alienate people. In other words, it is good to please people provided that pleasing them is a means to their salvation and edification, and to God's glory.

Reflection
Friends, the focus of this meditation is that there is one and only one gospel. Do not turn away from it. Do not turn away from God and His grace. If you embrace the one true gospel, God will forgive your sins, and you will be free in Jesus Christ.

- Rev Vincent Goh

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This Week's Devotional \| 2004 Devotionals \| 2005 Devotionals Devotional For the Week 15th November 2004 Gems from Galatians: Another Gospel Scripture Reference: Galatians 1:6-10 What is our motive for believing in the gospel? In the passage in Galatians 1:6-10, the Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatian Christians to warn them of the severe consequence of rejecting and distorting the gospel. Some false teachers had infiltrated in the church and taught that circumcision, observance of certain rituals and laws were still necessary for one to receive salvation. Paul highlighted 3 steps to preserve the purity of the gospel: 1. No Other Gospel (Gal 1: 6-7) The truth underlying this passage is that there is only one gospel and there is only one way to be saved from the bondage of sin and death. There is only one way to true freedom in Christ. For a Christian to have heard and received the gospel and afterward turn away from it is foolishness. There are two implications of turning away from the gospel: · It is a turning from the calling of God. "You are deserting him who called you." (v.6) · It is a turning away from grace. In Galatians 5:4 Paul says: 'You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace." 2. No Distortion of the Gospel (Gal 1:8-9) The second truth that is that if a person rejects or distorts the gospel, he stands under God’s curse, whether he is an angel or an apostle. The Greek term, ‘anathema’ or ‘accursed’ is a strong word. It means to be cut off from Christ and doomed to eternal punishment (2 Thess 1:9; 1 Cor 16:22). Paul warned of the serious consequence for distorting the divine grace of the gospel, for it is God’s way to salvation. 3. No Men Pleasers but God Pleasers (Gal 1:10) The third truth is that the servant of the gospel should seek to please God alone, not men. Therefore, in order to serve Christ — to advance His glory and achieve His saving purpose — Paul opposed the perversion of the gospel with all his might, whether it pleased people or not. For the glory of Christ and for the good of those who may yet believe the gospel, Paul was willing to speak the unpleasant truth. Yet note that it was never Paul's aim to alienate people. In other words, it is good to please people provided that pleasing them is a means to their salvation and edification, and to God's glory. Reflection Friends, the focus of this meditation is that there is one and only one gospel. Do not turn away from it. Do not turn away from God and His grace. If you embrace the one true gospel, God will forgive your sins, and you will be free in Jesus Christ. *- Rev Vincent Goh*
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