“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 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.” Galatians 1:6-8 (KJV)
St. Luke 21:8 records a personal warning from the Savior concerning the deceptions of men. His words along with Paul’s to the Galatians serve to show that the current trend of “perverted gospels” is not new. The world around us would deceive us into thinking that there are no absolutes of truth. The tragic thing is that such deceptions are commonly promoted under the guise of Scripture. Paul explained that those “other gospels” were in fact not gospel at all. Instead, they are truth perverted.
When we stand against such error, we swim against the current of personal, often majority, opinion. This is a fact, which isn’t our fault. Paul taught that one who preaches and teaches, as gospel truth, anything other than what has been passed on by the Lord and his Apostles, is doomed to eternal destruction.
This reminder is not to raise up a group of biblical militants. Rather, I am reminding us of the personal need to pay strict attention to the Word of God.
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, ‘If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ ”John 8:31-32 (KJV)
Dear Father, thank you for shining the light of your truth in my life. Thank you for parents and pastors who have planted and watered that truth. Thank you for the love of the truth and a determination to live by it. Forgive me for the times I have ignored it or been apathetic toward it. Empower me to hold steadfast to your truth. I pray this in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for his Word and live its truth,
Pastor Smith