Tag: eternally condemned
Avoid ‘eternal condemnation’!
Scripture reading for August 16th: Galatians 1
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Galatians 1:6-8 “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. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!”
The true gospel of salvation by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone is very simple and humbling. This gospel makes no room for boasting in what any man has done or in any special knowledge or angelic revelation. This true gospel requires repentance–turning from sin and religious works and placing faith in what God has already done through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. The Galatian church was founded on this true gospel, but some were following false teachers who were perverting the gospel. Paul was emphatic that those who pervert the gospel and those who followed them would be “eternally condemned.”
Observation for over-comers: Over-comers become grounded in the true gospel and are alert for those who try and pervert it. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 16:25)
No perverted Gospel!
Scripture reading for August 17th: Galatians 1
“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. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!” (Galatians 1:6-8)
Galatians is thought the first letter written by the Apostle Paul. He wrote this letter to “churches in Galatia” in order to clarify the gospel message he first delivered to them. His clear gospel message that had brought them salvation was being ‘perverted’ by Jewish false teachers who claimed to be saved by faith in Christ, but wanted to add the keeping of Jewish law as a requirement for being a Christian. This teaching was pleasing to the Jews who had become Christians and was part of the motivation behind it. It seemed like a good idea in that the Jewish believers could continue to observe the law and would not suffer persecution from their family or nation.
Paul opened this letter with a strong statement about anyone who would pervert the gospel: “let him be eternally condemned!” A false gospel cannot save! Teaching a false gospel sends those who follow it to eternal condemnation! Adding the keeping of the law and circumcision would bring condemnation of failure and nullify the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the gift of salvation by God’s grace!
We must guard the gospel message carefully, for in it is the power of God for salvation! (Romans 1:16) Be on guard against a ‘perverted gospel’! It is by grace alone through faith in Christ alone that we are saved!
Paul’s call and the Gospel!
Scripture reading for September 14th: Galatians 1:1-24
Paul was an apostle who was sent by Jesus Christ and God the Father to minister to Gentiles. Paul had ministered in Galatia and planted churches there among Gentiles. Certain false teachers from among the Jewish believers had come along later and tried to persuade these Gentile believers that they needed to follow the Jewish custom of circumcision in order to be saved. Paul wrote this letter after his first missionary journey and the experience of the council at Jerusalem to encourage the church to trust in Christ’s sacrifice alone to save them. (Acts 15:28)
“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. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the Gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a Gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!” (Galatians 1:6-9) Paul was emphatic, twice repeating the curse on those changing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. No one can change what God has done. No one can add to Christ’s work on the cross without taking away from the Gospel! Not even angels can change or add to it!
Paul did not make up the Gospel nor did he get it from some of the other disciples. He got it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:12) Paul was a persecutor of the church of Jesus Christ and zealous for the traditions of the fathers of Judaism. But God revealed Jesus Christ to Paul and called him to preach to the Gentiles. (Acts 9:5,15) Paul went immediately to Arabia and then to Damascus. He spent three years there before going to Jerusalem to visit with Peter and James. These apostles had heard about his conversion and preaching and now got to meet this man. They thanked God for what He had done. (Galatians 1:18-24)
Paul’s Gospel message came directly from Christ, not even from the apostles James and Peter. The Gospel cannot be changed, only preached to those in need of salvation. Are you trusting in the true Gospel?