Title: The Simple Gospel/ Topic: Truth

Today's Reading: Job 28; Job 29; Galatians 1; Galatians 2

Scripture: Galatians 1:6-9
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by 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. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!

Observation: The Galatians were led astray from the simple gospel that saved them. That gospel was that they are saved by grace through the sacrifice of Jesus and that no works of their own were needed to add to what Jesus did to save them. Paul adjures the church in the strongest language to reject anyone or even any spiritual being that gives them a “revelation” of anything that changes or perverts the gospel that they originally believed. They had been led astray by men who came and preached with authority and with a spiritual “aura”; but were preaching a false gospel.

Application: I am amazed at the number of Christians I meet today who have been led astray by “another gospel”. As with the Galatians, the usual confusion comes because of additions to the simple message of salvation through grace. Scientology, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons and a wide variety of lesser known “new age” religions all add to the something to the gospel preached by Paul. Some very good people with integrity follow these religions. We need to marinate in the Word so that we will not be led astray like the Galatians were. Jesus and Paul both warned that future believers would be led astray. It's up to us to know the Word and stay close to God through prayer and worship in order not to be deceived.

Prayer: Keep us strong Lord. Keep our minds clear and our spirits attuned to the truth. Protect us from deception and help us to lead others who have wandered from the truth back to the simplicity of your gospel.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.