NO OTHER GOSPEL

The sufficiency and purity of the Gospel is of utmost importance for salvation. The gospel is what God had done in Jesus. It is the grace of God towards sinners through faith alone in Christ alone. However, the false teachers at the churches at Galatia introduced another gospel, to the Galatians Christians who initially believed in the only true gospel. 

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1:6-7 ESV

The Apostle Paul sternly warned the Galatians against the other gospel which is no gospel at all. The false teachers were spreading heretical teaching that Gentiles should submit to all the Mosaic law before they can become true Christians. However, this contradicts the Biblical gospel of justification by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).

To return to works based salvation is to reject the perfect work of Christ. Jesus fulfilled the Mosaic ceremonial, judicial and moral law. He accomplished salvation through His atoning work on the cross. Therefore, a person can only be saved by the grace of Christ through faith in Him.

Furthermore, holy living should be practiced through faith, not by works or rituals in order to please God. The fruit of good works should be grounded on Christ’s perfect work. Otherwise, good works from self righteousness or any religious rituals are like filthy rags to a holy God (Isaiah 64:6). Ultimately, there’s only One God and Gospel that can save. The implication for believing and teaching another gospel is dire.

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8-9 ESV

Most assuredly, neither a holy Angel from heaven nor a true Apostle of Christ should preach another gospel. The point is, no one has the authority to preach another gospel other than the Biblical gospel. If anyone preaches another gospel or a false gospel the result is condemnation. They are accursed or the old Bible word is, anathema (KJV).

“Almost all doctrinal error is really truth perverted, truth wrongly divided, truth disproportionately held and taught” A W Pink - The Sovereignty of God -  Page 9.

LEGALISM

Legalism was the distorted truth of the false teachings of the churches at Galatia. The Judaziders infiltrated the churches, teaching a work based righteousness in order to gain salvation. Presently, it’s a common heresy found in many religious cults. They believed in a fictional Jesus and approach God with their own righteousness.

It’s a false gospel of righteousness by works not by faith alone in Christ. They practiced on going works to please God and to attain heaven and God’s favour. Amazingly, the purpose of the law is to act as a school master in order to point us to Christ (Galatians 3:24).

ANTI-LAW

In contrast to legalism, antinomians embrace justification by faith alone but ignored the countless warrant in scripture to live a holy life. Despite Christ fulfilment of the law, Christian’s are bound to obey the moral law and to walk in holiness (1 Peter 1:13-16, Matthew 5:19-20).

Christians should work out their salvation from a foundation of faith. The grace of God is not a license to sin and lawlessness but should fuel gratitude and obedience (Romans 6:1-4). Without the desire for obedience to the law of God begs the question of true conversion (Psalm 119:10-16).

HYPER GRACE

Unfortunately, the other extreme of lawlessness is hyper grace. It’s an imbalance view of the grace of God. The idea is that since man cannot fulfil God’s law, a new law of grace was instituted through Jesus. Therefore, God no longer judges certain moral laws when broken as long as faith, obedience and repentance are exercised. 

Sadly there are serious problems with this view. Firstly it seems as if God has changed His mind on His eternal law. Secondly, this gospel is different because the reason for the cross was because of the seriousness of sin which was a judgment on sin. Christ fulfilled the law and took the judgment on our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 3:23-26). Therefore, the only way sinners are saved it’s because God’s wrath was satisfied through the last Adam (Romans 5:12-21).  If there’s a new law, then God has lowered his standards. 

PROSPERITY GOSPEL

This is one of the most distorted gospel, that is not a gospel at all. This gospel message states that Jesus atoning work involves Christians gaining health, wealth and prosperity. The primary focus is on material earthly blessings. Sadly, It’s linked to the Word of Faith movement which stresses the faith of the person. The more you exercise your faith the more you get what you desire. Sadly these beliefs are incredibly unbiblical. It encourages covetousness and greed (Ephesians 5:5).

Unfortunately, there are a number of problems with the prosperity gospel. Mainly, it entirely distorts the true gospel and the life of a Christian. Jesus calls His followers to deny themselves and for them to take up their cross daily (Matthew 16:24-26).

He also tells them to store up treasures in heaven and that the Father knows their needs (Matthew 6:19-21, 32-33). The Bible never encourages the pursuit of our desires as they are sinful but we should delight in God to shape our desires to His desires and will grants us godly gifts ( 1 Timothy 3:3, 1 Timothy 6:10, Psalm 37:4 1 Timothy 6:5, 9-11). This theology encourages to use the Holy Spirit as a power for the person’s will. However, the Holy Spirit is a Person that use a person according to God’s will.

In the final analysis, the four discussed gospels are false which put the preachers and hearers of these gospels at great risk. Similarly, the author of Hebrews warned that the true gospel should not be neglected as it consequences are serious ( Hebrews 2:1-4). Importantly, there are some who believes these false gospel that are saved but it undermines their walk with God. Furthermore, those who fully believe and embrace these false gospel will be eternally lost.

THE GOSPEL CENTERED LIFE

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God”. Galatians 2:20 ESV

Paul gives the remedy for the problem of distorted truth. It is to live by faith in the gospel of Christ. In other words, a Gospel centred life, empowered by His Spirit ( Galatians 4:5). Those who are in Christ, are dead to sin and the world but alive to God. Therefore, they live their life by faith through grace. Their holy living and good works comes from faith with a heart of love.

Despite their failures, they are assured of their standing with God as a result they strive to please God. They are neither legalistic nor lawless. They never trample upon the grace of God but in awe and gratitude of God’s loving kindness towards them. Lastly, their eyes are set on eternal things not on earthly things, their treasure and desire is Christ (Colossians 3:1-2).