We begin today going through Galatians again in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan. Paul is speaking very sternly when he says this in verses 6-12:
6 I am surprised and astonished that you are so quickly turning renegade and deserting Him Who invited and called you by the grace (unmerited favor) of Christ (the Messiah) [and that you are transferring your allegiance] to a different [even an opposition] gospel. 7 Not that there is [or could be] any other [genuine Gospel], but there are [obviously] some who are troubling and disturbing and bewildering you [with a different kind of teaching which they offer as a gospel] and want to pervert and distort the Gospel of Christ (the Messiah) [into something which it absolutely is not]. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary toand different from that which we preached to you, let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)! 9 As we said before, so I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel different from or contrary to that which you received [from us], let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)! 10 Now am I trying to win the favor of men, or of God? Do I seek to please men? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond servant of Christ (the Messiah). 11 For I want you to know, brethren, that the Gospel which was proclaimed and made known by me is not man’s gospel [a human invention, according to or patterned after any human standard]. 12 For indeed I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but [it came to me] through a [direct] revelation [given] by Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
Paul was addressing the fact that many of the born again Jewish believers were requiring the born again gentile believers to follow certain Jewish customs as "part" of Salvation. THIS was completely against the TRUE and simple Gospel of Salvation through no other means than by the Blood of Jesus. Romans 10:9-10 says this:
9 Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.
THAT is the TRUTH! It is very enlightening to study the Feasts of Israel, but it does NOT bring Salvation any more than going to church, being baptized or taking communion. I can sit in a garage, but that will NEVER make me a car! The simple Truth is that there is NOTHING of us or our works involved in eternal Salvation! It is ALL God and He has freely given to "whosoever will" receive! There are believers, and even pastors and ministries, that refer to it as "greasy grace" because it is so simple and easy to receive! Ironic, isn't it, that so many who freely received for themselves want to add to it and make it more difficult for others to receive? Do NOT allow the negative comments of those who do this to discourage you from presenting the beautiful, glorious, powerful, miraculous, undeserved but so freely and lovingly given, GOOD NEWS to the lost! HE desires that NONE should perish, so let's TELL THEM! AMEN! Here is one of my favorite Christmas songs again. "We Have A Saviour" by Hillsong:
Shalom in Him!
