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.
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