Based on Galatians 1:1-10 (New King James Version)
“Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 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. 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. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”
As he was inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul warns concerning obeying another gospel, and that there is only one gospel, only one way to salvation. And he warns in such a way that if anything else different is preached, and even if a supposed angel teaches something different, that it needs to be taken as accursed. This warning within itself would rule out some very popular religions and beliefs today. But in the end, nothing that is outside of the Bible, outside of the Word of God can be accepted as being part of God’s gospel. And if there are counsels or teachings, they must be directly related and based on the fulness of the Word of God, and not just based on a few passages in the Bible. For something to be taken as coming from God, it must be based on the Word of God.
Now then, what is this gospel that Paul is talking about that is so singular and exact? The gospel as such was introduced by the Lord Himself as it is written: “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.’” Mark 1:14-15. Everything first consists of the repentance of sins, turning away from them with all the heart. This is the first fundamental step in the gospel. And the Lord also refers to believing in the gospel after mentioning repentance. The basis for everything is also faith, believing in what God says we should do. In other words, what would it matter to have repentance of sins if a person is not even convinced in what is or is not sin? That is the first dilemma that exists in our society today, and where the error starts for many, the understanding and comprehending of what sin is and also, understanding and comprehending that a person needs to turn away from everything that is evil before the eyes of God. But also, believing in “the gospel” is not only about doctrine, but also, on a Person. Christ is “the Gospel”. A person must believe in the Lord. This message of salvation or gospel is also taught as follows in another place: “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19. Repentance should be understood, and converting means to turn or change course, and it should be a turn towards God, to the Lord Himself, as He said also: “…‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 3:16b. And this also is what the Word teaches regarding this: “But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:8-10. Therefore, the gospel or the start of this path begins with this, with complete repentance of sins, and with converting or turning completely to the Lord, accepting Him as such literally.
So then, is that all? Yes and no, and here is where many err as well. If a person accepts Jesus as the Lord of their lives, then they should follow Him as such. The Lord not only came to give us life, but also, to give us a life example, because if He is the Lord, then we should do as He did and as He continues guiding through the Holy Spirit. The Lord Himself taught us to pray like this: “In this manner, therefore, pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10. He came to do the Father’s will. So, if He came to do the Father’s will, what should we that say that believe in and follow Him do as well? We should look to do the same. This is what the Word teaches: “He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.” Romans 14:6-9. Paul himself said this also: “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1. And this is probably what causes the greatest deviation from the true gospel—not looking for the Father’s will, but rather, looking to please oneself. If a person, no matter what they profess believing, looks only to fulfill their will, they are not based on the gospel, but rather, they are serving themselves. A person belongs to the one they choose to serve. The Scriptures also say this: “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” Galatians 5:16-18. And so, if a person follows the desires of their flesh, they are then no longer on the path to salvation. Maybe a person might say, “But I believe in God, and my faith is placed on Him.” And yes, that may be so, but your lord is the one you serve. This is also written: “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” James 2:17-20.
And finally, we are saved by the grace of God, but with a purpose, and if that purpose is not fulfilled, then faith is useless. A person must always look to do the Father’s will in all things because that is the reason for why we were created. As the Word says: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10. If we are not serving the Lord, looking to do His will in every area of our life, then there is no salvation. No one can deceive God. So then, are you following the path to salvation that takes us to the Father, to eternal life? Lord bless! John