The Deception
Galatians 1:6,7 "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-which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people
are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ."
NIV
As I gazed out the window of the aircraft I could see the snow covered landscape
below. Mountains robed in splendour stretched for miles on end. Suddenly though
I realized that I was seeing not one but two scenes. The snowy mountains were
definitely one scenario, but the other one consisted only of clouds. The clouds
were as varied, white and shimmering as the snow below them and they certainly
looked solid from my vantage point, yet if I were to step out on them or the
plane attempted to land on them how quickly such deception would be discovered.
In today's society many gospels of salvation are preached. In fact to hold to
the belief of Christianity is often to be considered as narrow minded,
prejudiced, foolish and discriminatory. And yet it is God's word and not our own
which claims that Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to
the Father except through him. John 14:6 NIV
In Paul's day and age the Galatians had gladly received the message of salvation
in Christ, only to be deceived by a different gospel a short time later. Like
us, I expect the Galatians only wanted to belong, to be accepted, liked and
included by their peers. To place their trust in Christ also placed them in a
position of disfavour among world, which is perhaps one of the reasons they were
so easily mislead.
The ease which the Galatians succumbed to deception is a good warning for God's
people as we are bombarded by many different gospels. It is a warning to remind
us of the importance of knowing the Scriptures and thus knowing our own hearts.
Hebrews 4:12 states: "The word of God is living and
active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul
and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the
heart." NIV
The word of God allows us to look through the window of our hearts and thus
avoid the deception of a different gospel-which is really no gospel at all.
Deception or truth, the word of God or the word of man, the choice is ours.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for the truth and power of your word. Bless us
with hunger and thirst to read and know and understand and apply it to our lives
every day in every way that we might stand firm until the end. In Christ's name
we pray. Amen.
Lynne Phipps lynnephipps@hotmail.com
Atlin, B.C.