By Bro. Samuel mathew
Gal 1:8,9 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 now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
This passage of the bible is often used to threaten and scare people to only listen to the truth or gospel as preached in their denomination or church. But it begs the question, “What is this gospel that Paul preached?” Paul says in verses 11 and 12 that he did not receive this gospel from “man”. He says that, “neither was he taught this gospel by any man” and that includes the elders and leaders of the church in Jerusalem. So then how did he receive this gospel? He says he received it “by revelation” directly from Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the “Word of God” personified. John says that this Word became flesh and was full of “grace” and “truth”. Jesus revealed this word of grace and truth to the apostle Paul. Jesus said that He is the truth. So what is the truth? What is the true gospel? It is time that all Christians and churches do a reality check to see if the gospel they are hearing and preaching is the same gospel that Jesus Christ revealed to Paul.
So what is the gospel that Paul preached? Paul preached the good news of the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ Acts 13:38. He preached that:
· the punishment for the sins of the whole humanity came upon Jesus, so that we should not be judged for our sins anymore.
· Jesus was made sin, so that we might be “made” the righteousness of God in Christ. (Note that we are not becoming progressively righteous by our works, but He has already “made” us righteous).
· the very righteousness of God has been given to us as a FREE gift, free from our works or performance.
· the blood of Jesus has obtained “eternal” (not partial or temporary) redemption, which is the eternal forgiveness of sins.
· not only are we saved by grace, but our salvation is kept by His grace, not by our works.
· Christ has fulfilled the law and has removed the law as a means of our justification, since we could never keep the law.
· Christ has delivered us from the ministration of death and condemnation, which is the law written and graven on stones, by nailing it to the cross.
· Christ has set us free from religious laws and regulations and has given us the perfect law of liberty (freedom) in Christ Jesus.
· we are no longer led by the law, but by the very life of Christ in us.
· Christ also nailed our old self, the old man to the cross with Him. After nailing the old man, He then raised us up a new man, a brand new creation, who has the very life of God in us.
· we are saints, sanctified, made holy, righteous and perfected.
· there is no condemnation to those in Christ.
· we are already accepted and blessed with EVERY blessing in Christ Jesus, not based on our performance. He preached that we are complete in Christ, lacking nothing.
· we are God’s workmanship; it is He who is working in and through us.
He preached ALL about what God has done through the finished work on the cross in our lives. He preached the message of God’s grace and truth!!
Is this the good news that is being preached today? If anyone is preaching a mixture of law and grace, or the message of condemnation, or a message of “Jesus plus your holy works to stay saved”, or a message of perfection by the flesh, he is preaching another gospel. Please check your gospel and see if you are putting yourself under a curse!