I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in 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. 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!

We live in a world full of knock-off products. Many of these are made in foreign countries. In honor of cold season, there is the Kleenex brand of tissue, and then there are the knock-off brands. When it comes to Heinz Ketchup, there is the original, and then there are all the rest. Same thing with a myriad of other brands: Oreo Cookies, Hebrew National Hot Dogs, Zip-Lock bags, Legos, etc.

A knock-off promises the same performance results, but it costs less, typically. They usually don’t deliver. There can be taste, quality, ease of use, and other features that distinguish the originals from the rest. But in most of the above cases, the knock-off is no real comparison to the real thing.

Paul writes to the Galatians about a “knock-off” gospel. Apparently there were some church leaders preaching a gospel other than the one that was preached to them by Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ. In the early church, the Apostles were God’s authority on the truth. They knew both the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus, and had personal or significant instruction in how they related to each other. Today, thanks to many of the Apostles’ teachings and their approved writers, we now have the New Testament. The Old and New Testament constitute God’s Word and the authority on how to live a life that pleases him.

Here are a few verses that reinforce this truth:
“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees.”
(‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭9‬-‭12‬)

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
(‭‭II Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬)

The attraction to a knock-off gospel, one that promises the same benefits, is that the path requires less cost or sacrifice from us. They promise the following benefits, but only the real gospel can deliver: 1) A life that is close to and honoring God, 2) A life that is fulfilling in its working out of it. 3) A life that results in the spiritual strength necessary to stand when others come against and attack the true gospel, because they are threats to the knock-off.

This is what Paul is calling out here in Galatia. And he calls it out so severely that he states twice that those who preach and promote these compromised or false gospels will be held under God’s curse.

We live in a world and society that likes to promote self-interest. Some of these stances say: Pick your own path. Choose the way that seems best to you. Protect yourself. Love yourself. Make life less challenging. Justify your actions. Fight for your rights.

When Joshua (the successor of Moses and the one who led the Israelites by the power of God into the promised land) was an old man, he gathered all the Israelites together and gave them instruction. Here is part of what he said: “Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left. Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now.” (‭‭Joshua‬ ‭23‬:‭6‬-‭8‬)

So how do we live as faithful servants of God and followers of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ today? We must know his Word, the Bible, inside and out. We must hold every thought and teaching accountable to it. And we must, as Paul does here, point out the heresy and deceptive teachings as they present themselves. We are called to admonish in love, but we are also called to be bold and strong.

My brothers and sisters, stand with me on the pure source of truth in life, the Bible. Seek God each day in earnest and fellowship with brothers and sisters of like mind on these things. The times are tough, but our God is much greater than our tough times!

Lord, thank you for your Word. It is a treasure of truth for me. With it, I can claim its promises, hold onto its hope, and stand and fight off evil in all its shapes and forms, including false teaching. I commit myself to becoming a skillful wielder of the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God!