Another Gospel

Date: August 29, 2023

I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional. 

B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Voice and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share

You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?

B - Bible Verse: "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God's curse!" (Galatians 1:8-9)

L - Listen for God's Word and pray: Dear Lord, help me discern and hold fast to the true Gospel that brings salvation. Guard my heart against false teachings and give me the wisdom to recognize any deviation from the Gospel of grace. Amen.

E - Explore the History and Meaning: The apostle Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians to address the distortion of the Gospel by false teachers who were emphasizing legalistic observances instead of salvation by faith in Christ alone. Paul passionately warns against any attempt to alter the true Gospel message. He emphasizes that even if he or an angel were to preach a different gospel, they would be cursed. The message of salvation through faith in Christ's finished work is non-negotiable.

S - Study the Key Words or Phrases:

"Preach a gospel other than the one": Emphasizes the danger of distorting the core message of salvation.

"Under God's curse": Expresses the severity of deviating from the true Gospel.

"What you accepted": Highlights the importance of preserving the original Gospel message.

S - Summarize and Share: 

Today's verse from Galatians really hit me with its powerful message about staying true to the Gospel. It's like Paul is passionately telling us, "Don't you dare mess with the heart of the Gospel!" It's like Paul's voice is ringing through the ages, passionately warning us not to tamper with the heart of our faith. In a world filled with conflicting voices and ideologies, this verse stands as a resounding reminder that the Gospel isn't just a spiritual option to consider; it's the very essence of our belief.

Picture it like this: you're in a vast ocean, surrounded by different rafts, each claiming to take you to the right destination. Amidst this sea of options, the Gospel is the steady lighthouse guiding us safely to the shore. It's not a mere accessory that we can modify to fit our preferences – it's the bedrock of our relationship with God.

As we finish our journey through God's Word this month, let's keep the Gospel treasure close to our hearts. Let's cherish it as the foundation of our faith, unaltered by human whims. In a world of shifting perspectives, let's stand firm on the Gospel's unchanging truth. As we learn, reflect, and grow, let's remember that the Gospel is our anchor, our North Star, our unbreakable thread connecting us to God's heart.

Let's be vigilant, my friends. Let's not be swayed by anything that dilutes the Gospel's beauty or distorts its power. Instead, let's embrace the true Gospel – the one that brings life, hope, and redemption. It's not just a message; it's our lifeline. It's our source of courage and comfort. It's the bridge that spans the gap between our humanity and God's unending love.

4 Bible Cross References:

2 Corinthians 11:4 (NIV): "For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough."

2 Thessalonians 2:15 (NIV): "So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter."

1 Timothy 1:3 (NIV): "As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer."

Titus 1:9 (NIV): "He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it."