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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Galatians 1:9
“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!”
What sort of Gospel are you preaching?
God is a jealous God. His true servants are too.
The Gospel is Holy. It is not ‘up for sale’. It is not open to personal interpretation. It is totally Scriptural, Biblical and anyone who tampers or trifles with it does so at his or her own peril. Remember, it was ‘won’ through the awesome sacrificial death of none other than the One and Only Son of the Holy Eternal God – Jesus. We are not given licence to alter or cheapen it. (See also 1 Corinthians 1:18-31.)
It is the Gospel of confession, repentance, faith and grace. We have to confess and own our sins and rebellious self-centredness; we have to humbly and sincerely apologise, ask for forgiveness and change so that we don’t go that way again. We have to believe that God is a good God who keeps His promises so that He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And we have to acknowledge that His ‘Way of Salvation’ and the blessings that follow are gifts from God. (See also Acts 2:37-40; 1 John 1:9; Ephesians 2:8 & Romans 6:23.)
It is not because we are good, will become good or can in some way earn it. It is all out of the goodness of God’s heart. He initiates it, He paid the price, He maintains and sustains it and He perfects it. There is no way I will ever be able to fulfil the Law’s demands. Only Christ can do it. Only He can live the Christian Life, the Eternal Resurrection Life by His Holy Spirit – in and through me. Therefore, no one but God alone can put demands upon me (see Romans 3:10-12; Hebrews 12:1-2).
Let no one lead you astray. We do not merit our salvation. We ‘work out’ our salvation (see Philippians 2:12) through obedience to the Word of God as revealed to us through His Holy Spirit. If you are born again of the Spirit of God – He alone is your ‘policeman.’ Paul isn’t, I’m not, nor is anyone else. Provided you remain ‘open’ to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and are prepared for the sanctification process to continue – God will do the rest (see Hebrews 12:5-13).
Yes, we are a part of the family of God, and He expects us to discuss His Word together and live in community so that we learn what and how to change to become more like Jesus. But Paul was at pains to correct the view that physical signs, like circumcision, were prerequisites of salvation. Gentiles, by being circumcised, were putting themselves ‘under the Law of Moses’, which is impossible to keep. So Paul was reminding them (and the Jews) that circumcision was not necessary after the sacrifice of Jesus. Jesus’ sacrifice was and is total. (See also Romans 8:29.)
We need to be equally careful. Even today, some seem to try and suggest that Calvary is somehow incomplete or insufficient; or Christianity, as we know it, is imperfect, or observance of the Old Covenant is necessary if we are to be ‘real’ Christians. (‘Complete deliverance’ and ‘full freedom’ is complicated or there needs to be a ‘special formula’ for prayer and holiness.) (See also Galatians 3:1-5 & 5:1.)
Let me stand with Paul. Jesus exclaimed from the Cross – “It is finished” (John 19:30). The work was completed – The Gospel made perfect.
Don’t let anyone lead you astray – Jesus is still the only and complete Answer for the world today.
Don’t complicate it with unnecessary add-ons. (See also Revelation 22:18-19.)
Let’s keep it ‘simple’.
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