Wednesday: No Other Gospel
What normally follows the opening greeting in Paul’s letters? How is Galatians different? Compare Gal. 1:6 with Rom. 1:8, 1 Cor. 1:4, Phil. 1:3, and 1 Thess. 1:2.
Although Paul addresses all kinds of local challenges and problems in his letters to the churches, he still made it a practice to follow his opening greeting with a word of prayer or thanksgiving to God for the faith of his readers. He even does this in his letters to the Corinthians, who were struggling with all kinds of questionable behavior (compare 1 Cor. 1:4 and 5:1). The situation in Galatia is so upsetting, however, that Paul omits the thanksgiving entirely and gets right to the point.
What strong words does Paul use that demonstrate the degree of his concern about what was happening in Galatia? Read Gal. 1:6-9 and Gal. 5:12.
Paul does not hold back any words in his accusation against the Galatians. Simply put, he charges them with betraying their calling as Christians. In fact, the word turning (NJKV), which appears in verse 6, often was used to describe soldiers who gave up their loyalty to their country by deserting the army. Spiritually speaking, Paul is saying that the Galatians were turncoats who were turning their backs on God.
How were the Galatians deserting God? By turning to a different gospel. Paul is not saying that there is more than one gospel but that there were some in the church who—by teaching that faith in Christ was not enough(Acts 15:1–5)—were acting as if there were another one. Paul is so upset by this distortion of the gospel that he desires that anyone who preaches a different gospel might fall under the curse of God! (Gal. 1:8). Paul is so emphatic about this point that he basically says the same thing twice (Gal. 1:9).
There is, today, a tendency even in our church (in some places) to emphasize experience over doctrine. What matters most (we are told) is our experience, our relationship with God. However important experience is, what does Paul’s writing here teach us about the importance of correct doctrine?
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Since we are called to bless and not curse by Jesus, how do you consider Paul's statement desiring that any who preaches a different gospel should fall under the curse of God? (Gal. 1:8)
Yes, I agree to the fact that every Christian is called to follow the way of Christ-to bless and lead souls to the salvation as in Christ Jesus. It is important to note that Paul has an amazing passion for the gospel and the salvation of souls. Notice some of his expressions: ''...woe unto me, if I preach not the gospel!", "My litttle children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,", "Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches." in 1Corn 9:16, Galt.4:19 & 2Corn. 11:28, respectively). For me, Paul has proved his commitment to the gospel in these and other occasions like the above. He was dead sure of the gospel he was preaching. Consider his dramatic and personal encounter with Jesus of the Nazareth-the very author of the gospel Paul was preaching. If anyone is preaching any "other gospel" than (contrary to) that which was in Christ Jesus, it is none other than the devil himself who day and night works to divert souls from the way of salvation. So in essence, Paul was not cursing any heavenly angelic or human agent but the power of the devil working through them to miss guide souls from the genuine gospel. Remember, it's either God (the gospel) or the devil ("other gospel").
God bless you.
Well, that's right; it is the devil that fosters this other gospel. That's also true with the gospel that Paul preaches here in Gal. 1:7,8! We cannot change it, or face the possibility that we are then preaching 'another' gospel.
It says very clearly that "...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." And if that were not clear enough, he then repeated it again! Verse 9, qualifying as to who would do such thing and who would then be cursed, and that would be "If any man..."
How could Paul curse the Devil? He already is cursed! No it's the human that's liable for getting cursed for preaching. This curse is no different than what Peter did to Ananias and Sapphira, Acts. 5. In 1 Corinthians 16:22 it tells us the same thing, that "if any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema..." This means cursed, in Greek. God is not messing around, this life is for keeps. One loves God or one suffers the consequences. There's Truth or there's consequences.
Tom you seem to have an awfully hard view of what love is. If God is so strict then He should have zapped Paul long before he even got near Damascus. The only way we do it to ourselves eternally is when we firmly decide against God – that is what is called the unpardonable sin. As long as there is a glimmer of hope for a soul the Holy Spirit will work with that individual (Isa 42:3) – even if what he/she believes is wrong. If that were not so there would be no hope for any of us, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23 NKJV) and ” all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags” (Isa. 64:6 NKJV).
God’s grace, His long suffering, is what is so great about the love of God in that, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8 NKJV).
All that is true, dear brother! God is Love and He is very tender towards us. But we still have to accept what Paul say's about any man who preaches any other gospel than his gospel, let 'him' be cursed. You don't offend me any by what you say, but to regard the apostle Paul in that way, is another thing. I am just a defender of truth; Paul is the author of this truth. Gal.1:11,12, tells us exactly as to where he got this gospel, "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."
I stand firm with my defense of the gospel as delivered by Paul, as that is all that can be done! And for sure, if any one knew about the love of Christ, it would be Paul! Yet, he does pronounce a curse on any 'man' who preachers any other gospel than his to the church. My take on this, is that its a warning. One that should be heeded.
Tom I am not arguing against the fact that Paul pronounced those curses under inspiration. What I am saying is that to hold that kind of attitude against those who are preaching a different Gospel does damage not only to them but also to those with that attitude. The attitude we are to have is the one that Jesus commanded us to have:
Notice here what God's attitude is toward His enemies was which He says should also be ours. Further, " Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" (Jude 1:9 NKJV). Michael chose not to level curses at him but instead simply said "you are wrong".
When one preaches a different Gospel he/she is in opposition to Christ and place themselves as an enemy to Christ but like Paul if they change and decide to join God's side then they will be accepted and whatever curse there was is lifted.
Besides, curses should be left to God lest we fall under a curse ourselves, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you" (Matt. 7:1-2 NKJV). While we are not to accept error and can righteously argue against it our attitude toward those who preach error should be one of blessing rather than cursing. We are to draw them to Christ with love - not condemnation.
Well, according to the scripture Matt.5:24,25 "..Love your enemies.." Is Paul going 'against it' here too? Did Paul not know this verse?
And why would you say earlier that we are not to curse man, but the Devil, "Paul was not cursing any heavenly angelic or human agent but the power of the devil working.." (your words) But then you say, we are not to curse the devil, Which then is it? Do we curse man or the Devil? This is confusion and God is not the author of it .
The "Judge not that you be not judged" Scripture is certainly good warning for us, but it is talking about judgement of people, not doctrine. We find, though, in John 7:24 "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgement." We are to judge! Especially those who bring a false gospel!
Again, you say "... our attitude toward those who preach error should be one of blessing rather than cursing." Really, 2 John 1:10 says "If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Gods speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." God speed is a 'blessing'
We can be assured of following Paul, as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1 "Be followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."
Matthew tells us that Jesus died on Wed.; I believe about three pm. and that he was to rise on sometime around Sat. evening.