D.L.

“Galatians 1:8 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. Galatians 1:9 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)

What do you do when you read the word “Warning”?
What do you do when you hear the word “Warning?
What comes to your mind when you think about the word “Warning”?

When I hear, read and picture the word “warning” in my mind I get an internal alarm sounding deep within me. I was for three years onboard the ship Logos 2 (OM) and even though I was not part of the fire crew, I knew really well the sound of warning, the alarm will go off and I would run to get my lifejacket and then go to our designated point. I was trained to respond rapidly to the sound of warning.

I wonder if we have the same discipline when it comes to discerning the Gospel and when it isn’t. I believe that we can all discern the voice of the Gospel by practising spiritual disciplines, like reading, studying and meditating in the Word of God, when we pray, fast, worship, when we exercise the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit.

Paul, who is an Apostle, which means, “ to be sent” is sending us a big S.O.S. regarding the true nature of the Gospel.  The warning is clear, it is repeated twice in these verses and it should be heard. Paul says whoever teaches or preaches a gospel that is contrary to the one he preached he/she is to be condemned, even if the messenger is an angel from heaven, or even the apostle himself. What is clear about these two verses is that the “messenger” is not that important.

Why is the Gospel so important?
It is important for many reasons and I just want to mention three.

The Gospel is the Power of God (Romans 1:16)
The Gospel is the Blessing of God (1 Cor. 9:23)
The Gospel is the Glory of God (2 Cor. 4:4-6)

In the Gospel, the seed of the life of God is given to us so that we can live the life God so promised us. A distorted Gospel, a corrupt Gospel does nor lead to life and freedom but to slavery and performance, leading ultimately to trying so hard to safe ourselves, but we can’t.

Can you hear the S.O.S?