Acts 14:21-28
Galatians 1:1-3:23
It was not long after Paul and Barnabas returned from their first
mission trip that they received bad news. The true message of the Gospel was
being perverted to include Jewish regulations. In other words, false teachers
had taken advantage of the people and convinced them to mix the Law of Moses
with Christianity. Paul was not pleased. In fact, he wrote a letter to the
churches in that region, the book of Galatians.
“I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God,” he wrote.
“You are already following a different way that pretends to be the Good News
but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who twist and
change the truth concerning Christ. Let God’s curse fall on anyone who preaches
any other message than the one we told you about” (1:6-8).
Before Paul confronted this false Gospel, he de- fended the Gospel
message that he taught them. He reminded his readers that he had received it
from Christ Himself. “I solemnly assure you that the Good News of salvation,
which I preach, is not based on mere human reasoning or logic. For my message
came by direct revelation from Jesus Christ Himself. No one else taught me” (v.12). In other words, a
distortion of the true Gospel is no gospel at all.
Then, Paul pointed out the failure of the Law of Moses to save anyone.
“We know that we become right with God, not by doing what the law commands, but
by faith in Jesus Christ... For no one will ever be saved by obeying the law” (2:16). He continued,
“When I tried to keep the law, I realized that I could never earn God’s approval...
For if we could be saved through the law, then there was no need for Christ to
die” (19,
21).
In other words, if man could be saved by works, then there is no need for
grace or faith.
Those who try to live by God’s laws must obey all of them (3:12), which is
impossible, for we are fallen creatures, sinful by nature. No one can obey the
law perfectly. Therefore, all sinners are under the curse of the law and, therefore,
condemned by God to death. But Christ has rescued us from the curse of the law
(v.13).
What, then, was the purpose of the Law of God, if not to save us from
our sins? Paul answered that question. “It was given to show people how guilty
they are” (v.19). The purpose of the law was not to be a savior but to point
us to our need for the Savior.
Daily Reflection
Any teaching that attempts to convince you to add something to Christ
is a false Gospel. Adding something to gain salvation is to diminish the work
of Christ on your behalf. Salvation is by grace alone, in
Christ alone, through faith alone. Christ plus anything equals nothing, but Christ
plus nothing equals everything.
Just as you cannot earn salvation through your works, you cannot maintain
or perfect your salvation through works. Paul said it this way, “Have you lost your
senses? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now
trying to become perfect by your own human effort?” (3:3). What does that
look like for you?
Have you ever thought you might lose your salvation because of something
you did or didn’t do? If so, then you are trying to perfect yourself with your
efforts. Have you ever thought you might fall out of favor with God if you
didn’t read your Bible, pray, or go to church? That is a false Gospel. You cannot do
anything that would cause God to love you more. Likewise, you cannot do
anything that would cause God to love you less. Because of Christ, you are
free from all self-justification! Rest in Him!
BiAY.org | Day 317 — 48 Days to Go
No comments:
Post a Comment