A Different Gospel?
Thesis: To teach the hearers that there is but “one gospel,” and how easy it is to be pulled away from that soul saving entity.
Text: Gal 1:6-10
Introduction,
The word “Gospel” which we see in our English bibles comes from the Greek word “euaggelion” (yoo-ang-ghel-ee-on), and literally means “good message” “good tidings” “glad tidings” or “good news.”
And the Gospel is indeed “good news” for mankind, who was before the coming of Christ on earth in a very sad state, the Gentiles were with without God and without hope (Eph 2:12), and a remnant of the nation of Israel barely squeaked through the ages mainly because of the goodness of God (Mal 3:6).
For the law of Moses was only meant to be temporary and could not actually take away sin (Acts 13:38-39; Heb 10:1-4), but merely rolled sins forward yearly, looking for the coming of the Messiah (Rom 3:25; Heb 9:15), therefore as the epistle to the Romans states “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23) and were in need of a Savior.
Thus when that first Gospel sermon was preached by Peter and the 11 on that Pentecost after the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Christ, the Gospel was finally unleashed, those keys were used (Mt 16:19; 18:18; John 20:23), the kingdom was established, and men were finally able to have their sins forgiven and forgotten under the New Covenant through the blood of Christ and be reconciled back to God, as it was written by the prophet Jeremiah (Jer 31:34b).
Jer 31:34b For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."
Yet the availability of salvation and thus reconciliation was not the entirety of that which we refer to as “the Gospel,” “the Faith,” “the Way,” “that system of Christianity,” over the proceeding 40 years, through the power of God by the means of the Holy Spirit the whole of what we refer to as “the Gospel” “the Faith” “the Way” was delivered, confirmed, and recorded in its entirety, once for all time delivered (Jude 3), and that which was contained therein was everything that mankind needed to be “complete” in God’s eyes (2 Tim 3:16-17), which was “all things” that pertained to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3), “all the truth” was revealed (John 16:13), if you cant read it in the NT, it’s not the Gospel, which is the apostles doctrine (Acts 2:42), the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9), which originated from the Father (John 12:49-50; 17:8, 14).
And it wasn’t just the revealed plan of salvation/ reconciliation (even though that is an essential part thereof), the whole of it contains . . .
1) Facts to believe (John 8:24; 20:30-31; 1 Cor 15:1-4; Heb 11:6; etc.),
2) Commands to obey (Acts 10:48a; 17:30; John 4:24; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Pet 1:15; Rev 2:10b),
3) Promises to receive (1 Cor 15:22-23; Eph 1:3; 1 Thess 4:16-17; Tit 1:2; 2 Pet 3:13; etc.),
4) And Warnings to heed (Mt 10:28; Luke 12:1-13:9; John 8:24; 1 Cor 10:12; Col 2:8; 2 Thess 1:6-9; Heb 2:1-4; 10:26-29; etc.).
These aspects, which compose the Gospel in all its fullness, are the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes (Rom 1:16).
And with one of these major components missing, changed, or something added to them, it is a different gospel, and it cannot save (2 John 9), it is then nullified, made void, and nothing more than the musings of men, for it is God alone that justifies (Mk 2:7; Rom 8:33), His will, His way, and that will, that way, the Way, is only found in the rightly divided NT and nowhere else. Not in the catechisms, creeds, nor prayer books of men, but only in the understandable (Eph 3:4), living and active word of God (Heb 4:12), the New Covenant (Testament; Heb 8:8) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The only reason that these man made entities even exist is in order that they can tell you why the NT doesn’t mean what it says, I’m here to tell you “yes it does!” And you need to believe it, love it, and by faith obey it from the bottom of your heart unto salvation (Rom 6:17-18),
Keeping your focus on the things above (Col 3:1-4), with one circumspect eye scanning for the snares of Satan (Eph 5:15-17), for they abound, and there is no good reason that the faithful Christian ought to be caught unaware in these devices (2 Cor 2:11; 1 Pet 5:8).
As long as we have a good literal version of the bible (ASV; KJV; YLT; NKJV; NASB; ESV), a clear mind, and a good heart, there is no reason that we should not hear those longed for words “well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord” (Mt 25:21), let us therefore give the more diligence to make our calling and election sure according to God’s will, according to that one Gospel, knowing there is no other.
In today’s lesson we will go through these few verses and look at . . .
1) The “Removing” from the Gospel (Gal 1:6)
2) The “Reason” for this departure (Gal 1:7), and
3) The “Results” of a different gospel (Gal 1:8-10)
I. THE “REMOVING” FROM THE GOSPEL (Gal 1:6)
A. (v 6)
Gal 1:6 I am astonished (marvel) that you are so quickly deserting (removing from; turning away from) him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—
This statement here gives us the purpose for this epistle, Paul was amazed that the congregations in the area of Galatia were leaving the tenants of the gospel, we really don’t know all the specifics, but we generally know what the problem was, it was likely that same thing that we see in Acts chapter 15, wherein half converted Jews were going around to the various congregations and stating (Acts 15:5b)
Act 15:5b "It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses."
The answer to that assertion given by the apostles and other inspired men was this (Acts 15:24b) . . .
Act 15:24b . . . we gave no such commandment;
Yet this epistle (which is believed to be written shortly after this announcement by the Holy Spirit; Acts 15:28) teaches us that this problem still continued, in fact the NT teaches that there was a wide variety of errors that were being propagated in the 1st century and afterward, which ultimately led to “the falling away” (2 Thess 2:3; 1 Tim 4:1-3) and resulted in that which we know as the catholic church, yet this falling away did not cease there, it still continues to this day through the various sects of Christianity.
There is a wide variety of soul endangering errors that are also being propagated today, most are similar to what see in the NT, which were refuted by inspired men at that time.
Some of them would be . . .
i. Sodomy and such like (lesbianism; bisexuality; etc.) is approved of God (Rom 1:26-28; 1 Cor 6:9-10; Mk 7:20-23)
Rom 1:26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature;
Rom 1:27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
Rom 1:28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.
1Co 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
1Co 6:10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Mar 7:20 And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him.
Mar 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
Mar 7:22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.
Mar 7:23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."
ii. Abortion is approved of God (Mk 7:20-23; Rom 13:9; Rev 21:8)
Mar 7:20 And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him.
Mar 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
Mar 7:22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.
Mar 7:23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."
Rom 13:9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbor (another) as yourself." (That includes your unborn child)
Rev 21:8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."
iii. Multiple marriages are approved of God (Mk 10:11-12; 7:20-23; 1 Cor 6:9-10; Rom 7:1-2; 1 Cor 7:10-11 )
Mar 10:11 And he said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits (is committing; present tense) adultery against her,
Mar 10:12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits (is committing; present tense verb) adultery."
Mar 7:20 And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him.
Mar 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
Mar 7:22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.
Mar 7:23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."
1Co 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
1Co 6:10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Rom 7:2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage.
Rom 7:3 Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.
1Co 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband
1Co 7:11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.
iv. Sexual relations outside of a scriptural marriage (one man, one wife, for life) are approved of God (1 Cor 6:9-10; Mk 7:20-23; Rev 21:8)
1Co 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
1Co 6:10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Mar 7:20 And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him.
Mar 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
Mar 7:22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.
Mar 7:23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."
Rev 21:8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."
v. Money loving (greed) is approved of God (Mk 7:20-23; 1 Cor 6:9-10; Heb 13:5; Mt 6:19-21)
Mar 7:20 And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him.
Mar 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
Mar 7:22 coveting (greed), wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.
Mar 7:23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."
1Co 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
1Co 6:10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Heb 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Mat 6:19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,
Mat 6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
vi. Loving the things of the world is approved of God (Ja 4:4; 1 Jn 2:15-17)
Jas 4:4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
1Jn 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world—the desires (lusts) of the flesh and the desires (lusts) of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world is passing away along with its desires (lusts), but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Now these are the principle sins that are being committed today, which if not repented of, will assuredly bring about God’s wrath, but this twisting of God’s word unto destruction started with more doctrinal matters, and led to what we see today, some of which are . . .
i. Salvation by faith only (almost every protestant denomination believes this; and it basically parallels the antinomian [those who were against law] Gnostics of the 1st century, it is faith first, faith always, but not faith only, but the Gospel says (Ja 2:24, 26; 1 John 2:3-5; 3:4, 9-10). . .
Jas 2:24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Jas 2:26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
1Jn 2:3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
1Jn 2:4 Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,
1Jn 2:5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:
1Jn 3:4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.
1Jn 3:9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.
1Jn 3:10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
ii. Women teaching men in the assembly, again this is being practiced in most so called religions of men today; this is what we seen taking place at Corinth, possibly at Ephesus and at Thyatira, but the Gospel says (2 Tim 2:12; 1 Cor 14:34)
1Ti 2:12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.
1Co 14:34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.
iii. Keeping parts of the law of Moses (this is practiced whole heartedly by certain Sabbatarian religions; church of God, seventh day Adventists, and actually most religions believe they are justified by the 10 commandments, and often go to the OT in order to justify their other unauthorized practices, such as the use of instrumental music in worship unto God; a separate priestly order, altars, buildings of worship and so forth, but the Gospel says (Gal 5:4; Rom 7:4) . . .
Gal 5:4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.
Rom 7:4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.
iv. Then there were the Gnostics who claimed all differing things about the nature of God and Christ, and even believed in differing levels of gods (these doctrines are very similar to the Mormons and the JW’s our day who believe that the faithful will become gods on their own planets when they die (i.e. Mormons). And that man’s soul does not continue to live after physical death, and that Christ is not a member of the Godhead, but the Gospel states (JW’s) (1 Tim 2:5; John 1:1; Col 2:9; Heb 1:8; Mt 1:23; Luke 16:22-23; 23:43; Acts 2:31; 1 Pet 3:18-19; 4:6)
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Col 2:9 For in him the whole fullness of deity (the Godhead) dwells bodily,
Heb 1:8 But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
Mat 1:23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).
Luk 16:22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried,
Luk 16:23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.
Luk 23:43 And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
Act 2:31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.
1Pe 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,
1Pe 3:19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison,
1Pe 4:6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.
The point I am attempting to establish here is that these which I just named are teaching and practicing a different gospel, they are not merely starting to believe false teachers and adhere to some of their teachings as seen in our text.
And this verse teaches us that when one does such they, “are removing from, turning away from, deserting the grace of Christ” they are moving away from the grace (the favor) of God, which is “in Christ” in other words they are in the process of being lost, there is no simpler way to put it, they are likened to the Jews of Paul’s day (Rom 10:3).
Rom 10:3 For being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.
And when the truth of the gospel is laid before them, more oftentimes than not, they give the same answer as the people did in Jeremiah’s day “we will not walk therein!” (Jer 6:16), how then can they possibly have rest for their souls, when they are “Removing from the Gospel?”
II. THE “REASON” FOR THIS DEPATURE (Gal 1:7)
A. (v 7)
Gal 1:7 not that there is another one (Gospel), but there are some who trouble you and want to distort (pervert) the gospel of Christ.
These teachings not found in the New Covenant, or found in the Old Testament are not another Gospel, there is but one, and if was delivered in its completeness in the 1st century (Jude 3).
Jud 1:3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all (time) delivered to the saints.
And it was to be contended for; there was a battle going on for the Truth in the 1st century, and there is a battle going on today, we cannot tire, because if we stop fighting for the Truth that makes us free (John 8:32), it will cease to be upon the earth, and the earth and the rest of the physical universe will be taken away by God (2 Pet 3:9-10); The church is to be as a pillar, it is to uphold the Truth (1 Tim 3:15), that one Faith (Eph 4:5), at all costs (Rev 2:10), wielding the sword of the Spirit, along with prayer, for without the pure undistorted, unperverted Gospel, mankind cannot be saved today (Rom 1:16).
a. This departure into various lusts and ungodliness by those in the church was prophesied of by Jude about 2,000 years ago (Jude 1:4-19) . . .
Jud 1:4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Jud 1:5 Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
Jud 1:6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day—
Jud 1:7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.
Jud 1:8 Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.
Jud 1:9 But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you."
Jud 1:10 But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.
Jud 1:11 Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion.
Jud 1:12 These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted;
Jud 1:13 wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.
Jud 1:14 It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones,
Jud 1:15 to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him."
Jud 1:16 These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.
Jud 1:17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jud 1:18 They said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions (lusts)."
Jud 1:19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.
So how can individuals look in the bible and read what is says, and not “do” what it says? How can they be hearers of the word and not doers, deceiving their own selves? The answers they give are usually one or a variation of the following . . .
ii. First there is the group that knows little about God’s word, they put their souls in the hands of false teachers who are in fact ravenous wolves, and because of slothfulness, they are eternally doomed (Mt 15:13-14),
Mat 15:13 He answered, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up.
Mat 15:14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit."
iii. The seed of the kingdom is the word of God (Lk 8:11), if what is planted within one’s heart is something else, then it is not the Father Who is doing the planting but the evil one, Satan, and the end result will be tares (weeds) which will be separated from the wheat and cast into the fire (Mt 13:24-30, 36-43).
iv. But those who know something about God’s word, will state thus . . .
v. That’s not what it means
vi. That don’t belong in the bible
vii. That don’t apply to us today, or
viii. I don’t believe I have to do or believe that to be saved
We can sum it up in the last point “I DON’T BELIEVE!”
Remember Jesus warned those in the 1st century, and through His ever-abiding word, He is still warning us today (Mt 7:15)
Mat 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
Jesus stated (John 12:48) . . .
Joh 12:48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.
Paul wrote (Rom 2:16) . . .
Rom 2:16 in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ. (ASV)
In fact all that lived upon the earth throughout the ages will be judged by God’s word under which they lived (Rev 20:12b).
Rev 20:12b and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. (ASV)
So why do they believe those lies that go directly against the word by which all will be held accountable on That Day?
Because it’s easy, because it seems correct, because I “think” thus and so, but the bible plainly teaches that what unregenerated man “thinks” is not according to God’s will (Pro 14:12; Jer 10:23).
Pro 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
Jer 10:23 I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks (lives) to direct his steps (life).
And we are told time and time again that the way that leads to the life eternal is difficult (Mt 7:14), and that we are to strive (Luke 13:24), to give the more diligence to make our calling and election sure (2 Pet 2:10).
The truth is, our eternal status depends not in what we think, but rather on what God says, and our belief in and response to it, the obedience of faith (Mt 7:21; Ja 1:22) . . .
Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who keeps saying to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will get into the kingdom from heaven, but only the person who keeps doing the will of my Father in heaven. (ISV)
Jas 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
He has spoken, in clear understandable, repetitious words (in other words God has spoken over and over and over concerning these things) in order that none would misunderstand, but many freely and foolishly let themselves be troubled, misled by a perverted gospel, by the sweet words of grievous wolves, even despite the words of warning throughout the NT (Mt 7:26-27; 2 Thess 1:7b-9).
Mat 7:26 "Everyone who keeps on hearing these messages of mine and never puts them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
Mat 7:27 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and battered that house, and it collapsed, and its collapse was total." (ISV)
2Th 1:7b when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels
2Th 1:8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
2Th 1:9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction (loss; ruin; damnation), away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
The one who believes will obey to the best of his God given ability, the one who does not believe will not obey, this is not talking about perfection, but practice, we are not perfect, Jesus is perfect for us (2 Cor 5:21), while we struggle and strain against our sins (Heb 12:4; walking in the light; 1 Jn 1:7; walking after the Spirit; Rom 8:4) the requirement of God’s law (perfection) is met for us by Jesus (Heb 4:15; 2 Cor 5:21), His blood cleanses us from all sin (1 Jn 1:7).
Yet many have been taken captive by the teachings of men, instead being freed by the wisdom from above, Paul wrote in Col 2:8 . . .
Col 2:8 See to it (take heed) that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental (base) spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
This is the “Reason for their Departure” from the pure Gospel, which is God’s power unto salvation to everyone that believes (Rom 1:16)
III. THE “RESULTS” OF A DIFFERENT GOSPEL (Gal 1:8-10)
A. (v 8-9)
Gal 1:8 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 (Gr. anathema).
Gal 1:9 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 (Gr. anathema).
Here the apostle Paul, in the most forceful of words one can imagine, has put forth with emphasis (denoted by the repeat) that the Gospel that was presented to the Galatians (its facts, commands, promises and warnings) was unchangeable by man or angel.
Paul did not have the authority to change God’s revealed will from heaven, nor could any other apostle, and he spends the rest of this chapter and the next proving that the Gospel that he preached was the same as the other apostles, that he was not less than any of the other apostles, and that his message came by revelation from Christ (Gal 1:12), not from men.
Yet there are those that assert that the things we read of in the NT are merely meant for the infant church and not for us today.
There are those that claim that they are modern day apostles and have authority from heaven and preach a different gospel than that which Paul preached.
There are those that assert that Paul was a male-chauvinist and many of the things he brought forth were his slanted opinion and not from God, but he stated in v 11-12 thus . . .
Gal 1:11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel.
Gal 1:12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
We need to keep in mind the words of the Lord concerning what we follow as the standard of our religious practices and also every aspect of our lives, from where did it come, “from heaven or from men?” (Mt 21:25).
If it’s from heaven, we can read about it in the NT, which is that once and for all time delivered Faith (Jude 3).
f. But if it’s from men, we ought to consider some of the Gospel warnings concerning such (Mt 13:40-42; 15:14; Col 2:8; Jude 1:14-19).
Mat 13:40 Just as the weeds (tares) are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.
Mat 13:41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all (those who practice lawlessness) law-breakers,
Mat 13:42 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Mat 15:14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit."
Col 2:8 See to it (take heed) that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental (base) spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
Jud 1:14 It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones,
Jud 1:15 to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him."
Jud 1:16 These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires (lusts); they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.
Jud 1:17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jud 1:18 They said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions (lusts)."
Jud 1:19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.
The person that preaches a different gospel is “anathema-ed,” the translation “accursed” for this word is not strong enough to depict what it truly means, it means to be “devoted to destruction” (headed to Gehennah Hell) without the hope of redemption (i.e. they can’t be saved even if they repent and obey!).
a. Many take an indifferent view to changing the word of God, yet here Paul teaches us the seriousness of preaching or teaching false doctrine, and the Holy Spirit guided him to repeat this warning to emphasize the seriousness of the matter, this is why the inspired James writes (Ja 3:1)
Jam 3:1 Be not many of you teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.
Since it’s sinful to preach a perverted gospel, it must be also sinful to accept a perverted gospel, as affirmed in 2 John 1:10-11 . . .
2Jn 1:10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching (the doctrine of Christ), do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting,
2Jn 1:11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.
To deviate from God’s word deprives the teacher and the disciple of fellowship with heaven (2 John 1:9) . . .
2Jn 1:9 Everyone who goes on ahead (progresses) and does not abide in the teaching (doctrine) of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching (doctrine) has both the Father and the Son.
Therefore we can see the seriousness of the matter, yet we have seen throughout the ages those that attempted to deviate from or change God’s word, and that to their own destruction . . .
i. There was Satan in the Garden, he simply added one word to it “you shall not surely die,” yet both Adam and Eve did die both physically and spiritually.
ii. There was where false prophets throughout time that claimed there was “peace, peace” with God, when in fact there was not, they were actually the enemies of God because of sin and false religious practices.
iii. There are those today that teach thousands of different gospels and are telling those that follow their perverted teachings that there is “peace, peace” between them and God; when in fact they are being lied to, and those that are hearing are showing that they love not the Truth, because they allow themselves to be hoodwinked when they have the living word of God in their very hands.
iv. The Lord Himself said concerning this type of situation (Mt 15:14) . . .
Mat 15:14 Let them alone: they are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both shall fall into a pit.
v. What this basically means is “if they are foolish enough to follow these individuals in their lies about God and His will, they deserve what is waiting for them in eternity”, the same is true today, we need to give the utmost of diligence to make our calling and election sure, in order that we can be sure of or eternal status (2 Pet 1:10-11).
B. (v 10)
Gal 1:10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Paul knew that the truth of the Gospel would be a hard pill for most to swallow, like most things are, that are for our ultimate good, and are pleasing to God. And many today, being fashioned according to this world, don’t at first look with favor at the pure and simple Gospel of Christ, but as the renewal of the Holy Spirit takes place in our lives, we slowly start changing into one that thinks like God, and thereby begin embracing His truths unto our good and His glory.
The point being made here is that you can’t please unconverted people and people that are renewed by true Gospel of Christ and God at the same time, for these two are opposed one to another (Rom 8:5-8).
Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:6 For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace:
Rom 8:7 because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be:
Rom 8:8 and they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
But that’s not the Gospel that is brought forth today, as long as one doesn’t commit civil crimes (which are continually changing), and goes to a building once a week and throws a few bucks in the plate, they will be saved, but that’s not what the Gospel teaches.
The Gospel teaches that when one follows Christ and His Gospel in truth they will be hated by those of the world (John 15:19).
Joh 15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
The Gospel teaches that if one isn’t at least attempting to be holy in every aspect of their lives, they won’t make it to heaven (1 Pet 1:15-16; Heb 12:14).
1Pe 1:15 But because the God who called you is holy you must be holy in every aspect of your life.
1Pe 1:16 Scripture says, "Be holy, because I am holy." (GW)
Heb 12:14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
The Gospel teaches that divided allegiance is no allegiance (Mt 6:24).
Mat 6:24 "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
And in our verse the Gospel teaches that if one is attempting to please men, he is NOT a servant of Christ.
Why? Because what man “needs” to hear, and what he “wants” to hear are 2 different things. Here are some of the men pleasing Gospel precepts being propagated and spreading like gangrene today . . .
i. Everyone’s going to be saved
ii. Non-believers sprinkling or pouring unto salvation
iii. Faith only salvation
iv. Women teaching men in the assembly
v. Will worship unto God
vi. Restructuring the organization of the Lord’s church
vii. Money-loving and world-loving in Christ
viii. Immodest dress, speech and actions in Christ
ix. Divorce and remarriage in Christ
x. Sexual promiscuity in Christ
xi. Sodomy, lesbianism, and bisexualism in Christ
xii. Baby murdering in Christ
These are the types of things that please men, one leads to eternal life, it’s difficult and requires the utmost in diligence and perseverance being led by the Spirit, the putting of one’s self to death daily, the crucifying of one’s self day after day, striving, struggling against sin.
And the other sounds good, but is a terrible abomination in the sight of God.
God has always put a choice before His creatures . . .
In the Old Testament (Jos 24:15).
Jos 24:15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
And in the New Testament (Rom 6:16; Rev 22:17).
Rom 6:16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
These are the “Results of a different Gospel” (Mt 25:46a)
Mat 25:46a And these shall go away into eternal punishment:
And there are the “Results of the truth of the Gospel” (Mt 25:46a; 2 Cor 5:21)
Mat 25:46b but the righteous into eternal life.
2Co 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
And here are some of those “facts, commands, promises and warnings” that will get you started in that heavenly trek according to that one Gospel delivered in the 1st century . . .
One is to . . .
Hear the Word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17)
Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
This is how the Father plants His word within the good ground, the good, honest and open heart (Luke 8:15)
One is to . . .
Believe that Jesus is the crucified, resurrected and Divine Christ (John 8:24), Who died for our sins (1 Cor 15:1-4); and believe that God rewards those that earnestly seek after Him (Heb 11:6), Christ is the first-fruits of the resurrection unto eternal life, we must believe that we will follow (1 Cor 15:23). Belief (faith) is the cross-over point from spiritual death to life (Jn 5:24), it is the point wherein we enter into the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15).
One is to. . .
Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5) Jesus stated . . .
Luk 13:3 . . . except you repent, you shall all in like manner perish.
Repentance is a change in mind that results in a changed life aligned with the Gospel.
One is to . . .
Confess Jesus as the Christ before men (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9), the eunuch said . . .
“I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So should you
And you should also confess Him to others throughout your life of service to Him
One is to . . .
Be baptized (immersed), which doth also now save us (1 Pet 3:21), it washes away our sins (Acts 22:16) immersed into Christ (Gal 3:27) into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3) where His precious blood was shed (John 19:34) unto (for the purpose of) the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38; 22:16); baptism is the point where we are to be dead to sin and alive to God (Rom 6:1-11)
And finally one is to. . .
Continue living a life that is holy (1 Pet1:15), set-apart from the things of the world and to the Way of God,
Being renewed day by day, through study and application of God’s ever abiding, living and active word, that
sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17), putting off that old man, and putting on the new, being constantly in a state of
spiritual growth, showing forth God’s love through your life as a Christian (only), as the Bible teaches . . .
Walking faithfully in the righteousness of God revealed, the pure gospel of Christ,
In order that you won’t have your name blotted out of the Lamb’s Book of life (Rev 3:5),
In order that you may be granted entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet
1:11)