DAILY DEVOTION, Sept. 3, 2021

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, ⁷ which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. ⁸ But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. ⁹ As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:6-9)

Paul is concerned about the Christians in Galatia. He had preached Jesus to them and they were converted. False teachers have entered the picture and are saying, “Paul did not give you the full gospel. We are here to correct Paul’s teaching.” The Galatians thought these false teachers made sense and were turning away from the truth. Paul does not pull any punches. There is only one Gospel, the one he had proclaimed in Galatia. Those who preach a different Gospel are accursed, repeated twice! That word “accursed” (Greek, anathema) means damned to hell. That is strong language indeed! If any of us dare to proclaim a “gospel” different from the apostolic Gospel, Paul says we are on the road to hell.

No matter how appealing a new “gospel” seems – – – even if an angel from heaven appears and teaches contrary to the apostolic Gospel, do not listen lest you join them in being cursed. In summary, there is but one Gospel proclaimed by Paul and the other apostles. Believe the Gospel and receive salvation. Those who pervert the true Gospel, unless they repent, are hell-bound. Yes, it sounds harsh, but is it true?

Father, I thank You for calling me out of darkness and into the light. Thank You for sending Jesus as my redeemer. Please protect me from all false teachings which seek to pull me away from the true Gospel. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.