Another Gospel That Is Not Another

Paul’s epistle to the churches of Galatia (Galatians 1:2) is one of (if not his most) passionate letters. The believers there were being wooed to another gospel that was not the gospel of Christ that Paul had delivered unto them. The purity and simplicity of the true gospel was being jettisoned for a gospel not of grace but of works; not unto salvation but unto damnation. The eternal danger of this false gospel was met by Paul with scriptural denunciation wrapped in fervent exhortation for there was much at stake.

Paul had visited this region on his first missionary journey and planted the church there at that time. He visited them again on his second missionary journey and delivered unto them the confirmation of the Jerusalem council (Acts 15) that circumcision was not essential to salvation. There had been those professing believers among the Jews that maintained it was necessary to keep the law, particularly being circumcised, in order to be saved. Now these false teachers had infiltrated the Galatian churches spreading their damnable lie, making the gospel of grace a gospel of works. He wrote “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you unto the grace of Christ unto another gospel, which is not another” (Galatians 1:6-7).

This false teaching, making circumcision a necessary part of salvation was “another” gospel, i.e. different than the gospel Paul had preached to them. The Greek word is heteros meaning different. The word translated as “another” the second time is the Greek word allos meaning “of the same kind”. It is the same word used by Christ when he promised his disciples concerning the Holy Spirit “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever” (John 14:16; emphasis added).

Paul asserted that those who proclaim this false gospel “pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:7) and followed this testimony with the most vehement curse. “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8-9). This was no mild oath by Paul, but carried with it all the weight of his apostolic authority. To tamper with the one true gospel is to invite eternal damnation.

Paul’s warning then should be compelling to us today. There is only one gospel of Jesus Christ – he was crucified for our sins, buried and rose again the third day. We are saved by trusting in him for the forgiveness of our sins. There is nothing we can add – baptism, church membership, charitable giving, even being the Rotary Club Man of the Year. We are saved only by grace and nothing else. Otherwise, it is not grace. Where is your hope? Have you been misled by “another gospel”?

Thankful for a Life Changed by Grace

Paul wrote to the Thessalonian believers “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers” (I Thessalonians 1:2). Thanksgiving to God for his grace in the life of others was a common practice of the Apostle Paul. He related this thanksgiving in his epistles to the Romans (1:8), the Ephesians (1:15), the Philippians (1:3), the Colossians (1:3), and even in his letter to Philemon (1:4). His thankfulness was both genuine and pervasive. Paul thanked God because salvation is the work of God and no one else.

In his thanksgiving, Paul often cited particular characteristics that he observed that prompted this thanksgiving and prayers. In the case of the Thessalonians, Paul expressly remembered in prayer “without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Thessalonians 1:3). These three qualities evidenced their belief in the gospel and conversion.

Their work of faith testified to their relationship to God and trust in him while engaged in something that looked beyond this present world. Faith governed their walk now – not sight. They shaped their pursuits and practice according to God’s word. They filtered all that they saw and experienced through the lens of Scripture and that lens defined their worldview and their work.

Paul noted as well their labor of love. These believers were propelled along their journey by their love for Christ and, as a result, their love for each other as well as all men. Love guided their interactions with all that they encountered. They no longer lived for themselves, but “unto him who died for them. and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:15). This translated into a love for the souls of men, which trumped other worldly endeavors giving eternal purpose to their daily living.

Finally, Paul saw a steadfastness in their path and progression. They held fast to their profession by their unwavering hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. They were not dismayed by persecution or hardship of any kind. Rather, with undiminished resolve they followed after “the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

What is plain from Paul’s commendation of these believers is that these characteristics were observable. He plainly states “not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad…how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for his Son from heaven” (I Thessalonians 1:8-9). To put it another way, a life changed by God is plain to see. Does your life reveal a life changed by the gospel of God’s saving grace? Would others see and be constrained to give thanks?

God Rules in the Affairs of Nations, Men, and Me

The Bible teaches us that God owns everything. “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods” (Psalm 24:1). He created all things; consequently, he owns all things. This right of ownership extends to the people “that dwell therein.” The prophet Isaiah records for us that “he [the LORD] …giveth breath unto the people upon it [the earth] and spirit to them that walk therein” (Isaiah 42:5). Everything we see around us belongs to God and is “on loan” to us, even our very lives.

Though many would acknowledge God’s ownership, they would stop short of admitting to God’s active governance in the affairs of men. Yet the Scriptures testify plainly and often to God’s purposeful administration of his sovereign will. When it comes to nations, Daniel, a godly counselor to Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, reminds us “he [God] removeth kings, and setteth up kings” (Daniel 2:21). Moses tells us the “Most High divided to the nations their inheritance” (Deuteronomy 32:8) and Jeremiah more plainly relates God’s assertion “I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me” (Jeremiah 27:5; emphasis added).

Paul becomes even more specific when writing to the church in Ephesus. He tells the believers there “we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will” (Ephesians 1:11; emphasis added). We may not see the hand of God as he works out all things, but we can be assured that he is doing so. God said of Cyrus, the King of Persia, who was used by God rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, “For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me” (Isaiah 45:4-5). This prophecy concerning God’s working and plan occurred 200 years before Cyrus was even born!

God’s intimate and purposeful activity with his creation is a thought-provoking truth. There are many implications and responses worthy of consideration. One seems to stand out among others. “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law” (Galatians 4:4). The fullness of time speaks to the right time in history. God moved through all of the events of history to bring about his desired set of circumstances for the crucifixion of Christ and, since that time, moves to bring about the right circumstance for the return and reign of his Son, Jesus. We, each one of us, are a necessary part of that history, God’s plan. Our lives are not about us, but about him. Christ will return and God’s plan will be accomplished. Are you ready?

Walking in Righteousness

Paul asks a question of the Corinthians as a platform to provoke them to right thinking.  “Know ye not the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?  Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God” (I Corinthians 6:9-10). 

One amplification is needed to make these verses more useful to our hearts and minds.  The “unrighteous” of whom Paul speaks are those individuals who have never repented of their sins and trusted Christ as their Savior.  As a result, the unrighteous have never been born again and, therefore, do not have the Holy Spirit residing in them to enable them to live above the snare of these evil practices.  In essence, walking in sin is a way of life for this individual.

The Apostle John speaks similarly in his epistle.  “Whosoever abideth in him (Christ) sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.  Little children, let no man deceive you:  he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.  He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning” (I John 3:6-8).  Those that know Christ do not follow after sin, but walk in righteousness through obedience to his word.  On the other hand, those that do not know Christ follow the path of their father, the devil.  They really have no choice.

Both Paul and John appeal to their readers to not be deceived.  Nothing could be more plain.  John tells us that Christ was “manifested to take away our sins” (I John 3:5).  Those who have been delivered from their sins demonstrate the truth of that transaction by walking in righteousness.  Those who have never been forgiven of their sins continue in them; their lives are marked by sinful practices.

Paul captures the reality of this change in one’s life when he declares to the Corinthians immediately after the list cited above “and such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (I Corinthians 6:10).  This is true for every believer.  The sins that characterized our past have been forgiven.  We have new life in Christ and have been delivered from those sins. 

This change in our walk is behind Paul’s command to the Philippians when he says “let your conversation (walk or manner of life) be as it becometh the gospel of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:27).  The gospel delivers from sin – its guilt and power.  Paul was telling them to live lives that show forth that deliverance.  Is your life marked by the deliverance of the gospel of Christ?  Are you walking in righteousness?

The Father of Mercies

Paul, in writing to the Corinthian believers, referred to God as the “Father of mercies and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). What a precious appellation for our God! It speaks to the very character and nature of God himself, not just an exercise of frequent goodness. The nature of God is to be merciful, i.e. withholding from men that which we truly deserve – judgement. In fact, God declared to Jeremiah, the prophet, “I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness [steadfast mercy], judgment, and righteousness in the earth: for in these things I delight “(Jeremiah 9:24). God not only extends mercy, but delights in doing so.

The amazing paradox is that his mercy is never at the expense of righteousness for in this, too, he delights. After all, God is absolutely righteous and holy and all of his works are done in righteousness. How can God show mercy and still be righteous? The answer is found in the blood of Jesus Christ shed for the sins of mankind. The judgement of God for ALL of our sins was poured out on Christ when he suffered death in our place at Calvary. The Scriptures declare “For he [God] made him [Christ] to be sin [a sin offering] for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). God is free to exercise mercy consistent with his nature because Christ has born the penalty for every sin of every man, woman, and child!

As a Christian I am the object of God’s mercy each day, every day, all day long! David testified “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” (Psalm 23:6). Thomas Watson, a 17th century preacher wrote “Every time you draw in breath, you suck in mercy.” My sinful nature did not change when I trusted Christ for my salvation, but the blood of Christ requires God to treat me just as if I had never sinned.  This truth is the divine pillow upon which every child of God rests his weary soul. How wonderful the words from John Newton’s familiar hymn, Amazing Grace:

                              Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.

                              I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.

For those who have never accepted God’s payment for their sins in the person of Jesus Christ, God shows mercy in patiently inviting and waiting for them to repent. But some day it will be too late. For while the blood of Christ is sufficient payment for all of mankind’s sins, it is only efficient for those who believe, i.e. those who trust Christ as their Savior. The world is divided along this single line. There is no other relevant point of division – not gender, race, ethnic background, etc. There are those who have hidden their souls in the mercy of God and those who stand outside in rebellion and unbelief. Nothing else is of consequence to God or to us.

Peace in Our Times!

We live in uncertain times. But if we are honest with ourselves, we must acknowledge that uncertainty has characterized all of our times. What then makes these times seem different even to the point of fostering fear and anxiety? Current events cast an ominous shadow and threaten the stability of our daily lives. World peace is revealed as fragile at best, nothing more than a house of cards. Economic prosperity has grown elusive making it to appear beyond reach altogether. Law and order is no longer predictable making basic societal functions increasingly risky. Historic cultural absolutes are now questioned and fundamental premises denied. Add to all this, wickedness appears unchecked and the lack of civility has permeated society. Is it any wonder that anxiety dominates so many lives today?

There is hope! An event in the history of Judah will illustrate this unfailing option. The nation of Assyria grew to empire status in the 8th century B.C. It overran the Northern Kingdom of Israel and carried the Israelites captive back to Assyria in 722 B.C. Now this evil empire stood on the threshold of doing the same to Judah. In that very threatening time God reminded his people through his prophet, Isaiah, of an unchanging truth. “The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high…and [consequently] wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation” (Isaiah 33:5-6).

God is the source of our comfort and hope. The circumstances of our lives are under his control. The Scriptures tell us that he “works all things after the counsel of his own will” (Ephesians 1:11; emphasis added). This includes the advance and retreat of kings and their kingdoms. To finish the story above, Assyria was precluded from invading Jerusalem; the LORD himself destroyed their army; they returned home and their king was killed by his own two sons.

But it is not sufficient to only know that God is in control. What makes that truth so assuring and comforting is that God is also unfailingly good. God is always good and he only does good. His behavior is not contingent on our goodness, but flows from his very nature. The child of God can say with David, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” (Psalm 23:6). As Paul wrote to the believers in Rome, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). The God who comforted David is the same God who confirmed his word to Paul and is the same God that we love and serve today. Both his purpose and goodness are unchangeable.

There is much to discourage and dishearten the believer today. A casual viewing of the evening news confirms this. But God invites each of us to put our confidence in him that we may know his peace in our times. Those that do so “shall not be afraid of evil tidings: [for] his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD” (Psalm 112:7). Consequently, “Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3). We can have peace in our times.

We Shall All Be Changed!

Paul had instructed the Corinthian believers on both the reality (I Corinthians 15:4) and the necessity (I Corinthians 15:14) of Christ’s bodily resurrection from the dead. He also confirmed the inevitability of the believer’s resurrection (I Corinthians 15:20) and the nature of that resurrected body (I Corinthians 15:42-44). But what about those believers still alive at Christ’s return? Resurrection is by definition a “post-mortem” event. One cannot be raised from the dead if he or she has not died first. How would these ones share in the glories of the resurrection body to which Paul spoke so promisingly?

The answer is quite simple and rests in the mighty power of God. “Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed” (I Corinthians 15:51-52; emphasis added). The word “sleep” is a reference to death for the Christian. Those who have believed in Christ and have died are counted as “asleep” in the Lord. Their spirits are at “home” with the Lord in heaven and their bodies await resurrection. 

In his first epistle to the Thessalonians, Paul provides some insight to this marvelous event. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep” (I Thessalonians 4:14-15). Christ will return for all those who “believe that Jesus died and rose again”, i.e. have put their trust in his sacrifice on Calvary for their sin (Romans 10:9-10), whether they have died or are still living. Those that are living shall not precede (prevent, old English) those that are asleep. Those that are asleep shall be raised and all shall be changed!

Paul tells us that this will happen “in the twinkling of an eye,” about as near to instantaneous as one might guess. He goes on to say (speaking of our bodies) “when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then…Death is swallowed up in victory” (I Corinthians 15:54). There is no death for the Christian! Rather, we are “fashioned like unto his glorious body” (Philippians 3:21).

Christ is indeed coming again. When he ascended into heaven in the presence of his disciples after his resurrection, Luke records for us that “a cloud received him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9). Those watching his ascension received the promise “this same Jesus…shall so come [again] in like manner” (Acts 1:11). To this Paul adds “then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds…and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:17). Are you ready for his coming?

Grace for Living

What a frustrating and disappointing life most Americans live and, sad to say, many believers as well. We are constantly seeking and pursuing ease, comfort, and convenience only to find that such a “quality of life” is fleeting and elusive at best. We deceive ourselves about the enduring nature of these longings. They prove time and again that they are momentary in nature while the predominant nature of life is difficult, challenging, and marked by setbacks and disappointments. I am not trying to paint a despairing picture, but one that is accurate and realistic with the hope of shaping a right attitude to daily living.

Consider these observations. Making a living is just plain hard work. Adam’s transgression in the garden of Eden guaranteed that. As a result of his disobedience, God told Adam, “cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life…in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread” (Genesis 3:17-19). Nothing has changed since that time. Work may be different in kind, but not in character. We may sit at a desk instead of standing in a field, but we still go to bed tired every night.

 Raising a family is hard work, too. The fact that we are all sinners gives that endeavor more than its share of difficulty and disappointments. We struggle to manage competing interests, schedules, and pursuits in the midst of uncooperative externalities. We find it hard to come together and easy to grow apart.

We find our lives are lived in a moment of time marked by tiring labor, frustrating endeavors, and too many disappointments. There are no do-overs. Our only option is to just pick up where we left off and move forward. All of this is carried out in bodies that increasingly reveal their mortality. We battle the threat of sickness from birth to death.

Sin has made life hard. That is reality. The fact that sin is universal means we all share in the struggles of living. That, too, is reality. Our relentless pursuit for ease, comfort, and convenience inevitably proves ultimately futile and leaves us disappointed, discouraged and discontent. Yet, God has given us a refuge.

The Apostle Paul wrote of a “thorn in the flesh” that he had “besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me”. But God answered him, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). The grace of God is the power that enables EVERY right response to ALL of life’s hardships, difficulties, and disappointments. His grace renews our dissipated strength to face each new labor. His grace gives wisdom to address the otherwise insurmountable complexities of raising a family. His grace gives power to live victoriously in the midst of sickness and declining health. This grace is in God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

Instead of chasing after that which we cannot obtain, let us draw upon the inexhaustible grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and live joyfully and victoriously in the midst of life’s hardships. This is the believer’s portion until Christ returns. Are you living by this grace?

Saving Our Souls

James teaches us in his epistle that God uses His word to impart spiritual life.  We read that “of his [God’s] own will begat he us with the word of truth” (James 1:18).  James goes on to say to these born-again ones that this same word “is able to save your souls” (James 1:21), i.e. make your lives genuinely profitable to the One who gave you life.  God gives life to men and women who are spiritually dead that they might know God, serve God, and enjoy God.  None of this can occur independent of His word and without His working.  As you can see, Christianity is necessarily a God-centered religion.  By that we mean that the very aim of Christianity is the glory of God.

It is true – man needs a Savior.  His sin is thorough and enslaves him to selfish and deceitful lusts.  This is true of every man and woman born into this world.  Do not mistake the occasional kind word or good deed as signs of spiritual life.  Everyone in a cemetery is dead.  Some may be more corrupt than others, but I assure you they are all equally dead.  So it is with mankind apart from the grace of God.  We are born spiritually separated from God because of our sin.  The most refined gentleman is no closer to God than the most hardened criminal.  Yet God through the word of His gospel imparts life and saves our souls redeeming them from the destructive influence and effect of sin.

But James takes it further.  As dear children of God, in order for this word to have its transforming effect, we must obey it.  Listen to James exhort his audience, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22).  If we are to know victory over sinful thoughts, words and deeds, we must obey His word.  The Psalmist understood the necessity of God’s word in his battle with sin.  He wrote “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed there to according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9).  Later in that same Psalm he wrote “Order my steps in thy word and let not any iniquity have dominion over me” (Psalm 119:133, emphasis added).  Obedience to God’s word pleases him and glorifies his holy character, the very essence of what James means when tells us the word it able to “save our souls”.

You see then that Christianity entails much more than simply “going to heaven”.  It is about a life that is transformed by the gospel unto obedience to his word for his glory.  Christianity is all about God.  Is your soul profitable to God?  He can make it to be so.

Avoiding Sexual Sin

After reminding the Corinthian believers of their deliverance from the sins that previously characterized their lives and the lives of those among whom they now lived, Paul gave a stern warning to depart from sexual sin.  He wrote to them, “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against the body” (I Corinthians 6:18).

Fornication includes all forms of sexual sin and deviancy. The warning is to flee rather than fight.  This sin is too powerful. It is best for us that we keep ourselves rightly distanced from its presence and power.  A good example in the Scriptures is Joseph who served as the steward of Potiphar’s household. Potiphar’s wife sought frequently to entice Joseph to commit adultery as he necessarily went about doing the business under his care. As the invitations became more frequent and bold “she caught him by the garment, saying, lie with me” and the Scriptures tell us that “he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out” (Genesis 39:12).  We overcome some sins by running from them.  Paul understood that sexual sins are just this type.

Having shared this admonition with his audience, Paul explained why it was necessary.  He asked, “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (I Corinthians 6:19-20).  The “price” Paul refers to is the blood of Jesus Christ by which we have been redeemed. Peter reminds us that as Christians, we “were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold…, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (I Peter 1:18-19).

Paul declares unto these believers that the third Person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit, dwells in them and this is true of every child of God!  Paul wrote to the believers in Galatia, “God sent forth his Son…to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons and because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:4-6, emphasis added). Because the Spirit dwells in us, we are His temple. 

Finally, because we have been redeemed and the Spirit of God dwells in us, we are not our own.  We belong to God. Consequently, we are to glorify God in our body (and in our spirit) because He goes where we go! Paul’s warning to flee fornication has this truth behind it – we are God’s, purchased at great price, for his glory.