Free Indeed - Galatians 1:1-10

1 Paul, an apostle--sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead-- 2 and all the brothers with me, To the churches in Galatia: 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.6 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-- 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 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! 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! 10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. - Galatians 1:1-10

It's astonishing that in this age, when "knowledge is increasing," that many churches have accepted a diluted (permissive) or legalistic (restrictive) version of the Gospel of grace. On one side of the spectrum we've all heard of "cheap grace". This gospel teaches that whatever we do is acceptable to God because we have been saved from the penalty for our sins. The problem with this gospel is that it ignores the "sanctification" process. The sanctification process requires that the believer take a more active role in their salvation.

We can never save ourselves and the process of sanctification is a work of the Holy Spirit. But, "cheap grace" says that there is no need for the believer to do anything to be transformed to the image of Christ. This gospel discourages Christians from daily devotional practices that draw us closer to our Lord. They negate the necessity of prayer, Bible reading (let alone meditation), and worship. Proponents of this gospel have forgotten the Scriptures which say, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" or "draw near to God and He will draw near to you".

As we grow in grace and the knowledge of God, the true believer begins to seek more of Christ in their lives. Many believers, though saved, need more of Christ's presence in their lives because they are bound by besetting or habitual sin. We may have been born again and become new creations in Christ, but like new born babies, we have to grow into our full-stature (maturity) in Christ Jesus. As Christians, it is incumbent upon us to learn the ways and will of the Lord through Bible study; to pray, and even to fast, until there is less of the fleshly (or carnal) nature manifesting through us and we are led exclusively by the Holy Spirit of God.

On the other end of the spectrum there are those who believe that what we do externally is what saves us. This is legalism! Rather than being led by the Holy Spirit, these believers have attempted to deny their flesh by dressing and behaving in ways dictated to them by man-made religion. They are in error because the salvation experience is not external, but internal. "Those who are led by the Spirit are the sons of God." Please don't misunderstand, what we really believe about our God, will eventually be evident in our speech, behavior and dress; not because a pastor has told us what to do, but because the Holy Spirit has led us to do that which will please the Father.

Another, and perhaps the most dangerous, gospel is that in which the professing believer becomes their own god. They have not submitted to the will of the Almighty, but insist upon living life their way. This gospel is typically referred to as  "Name-It-Claim-It, Grab-It- Blab-It" gospel. Many such Christians have not learned to "die to self" and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. They "declare", "decree" and "call those things that be not, as though they were." They don't seek the Lord's will concerning what they want, their will is all that matters to them.

Prayerfully consider the gospel that your church preaches and teaches. The true Gospel of salvation teaches that we are saved through grace alone by faith alone in Christ alone. If your church does not fully accept that gospel, ask the Lord to direct you to a church that believes the true Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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