Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Galatians 1:6 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 -- which is really no gospel at all.
HOLD FIRMLY TO THE TRUE GOSPEL
Background information on the Galatian churches: They were located in what today is south-central Turkey and were likely founded through Paul's mission efforts. What happened in time is that these Christians wavered in their beliefs. They turned to a gospel which said: "To be saved you must observe Old Testament ceremonial laws" (don't eat pork products, don't do work on Saturday, etc.).
Through these verses Jesus again alerts us to the danger of turning to a different gospel. We're probably not tempted to think we're better Christians if we refrain from ordering bacon biscuits at MacDonald's (because eating pork products is sinful) or that we shouldn't clean house on Saturday (doing manual labor on this day is wrong). But aren't we tempted to believe that to be sure of God's love, we must perform the work of attending church, that if I act good and do good, THEN God will accept me? What is this, friend, but measuring your worth in His eyes by your track record instead of what Jesus has done in your behalf?
I was reading how when the Betty Crocker Company first came out with cake mixes, all the cook had to do is add water. The company found that the mix didn't sell. Market research revealed that people want to be involved in producing the cake. When the recipe was changed, requiring customers to add an egg, the product took off like wildfire. That is one of the weapons Satan uses against us. He whispers: "You must do something to bake the cake of salvation. It's too easy when someone says all you need do is believe. Why not add an egg or two of your efforts to the mix? What Satan forgets to mention is that the cake of salvation the sinner bakes always turns out to be a flop. It gives stomachaches when sins trouble the conscience and the hour of death draws nigh.
Then hold firmly to your Gospel treasure. In answer to the question "What must I do to be saved?" answer with joy-filled faith: "I will look to Jesus' cross and empty tomb and there see my salvation complete and my sin forgiven." 