Only One Gospel

“As we have said before, I now say again: if anyone preaches to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him!” (Galatians 1:9 CSB)

In fact, some other folks were teaching a gospel different from the one Paul had preached to the Galatians. That is a major reason why Paul wrote them.

In 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, Paul laid out the essential gospel message. “For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. Then He appeared to over 500 brothers at one time, most of whom remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one abnormally born, He also appeared to me.” Paul is saying to the Galatians that a gospel other than this one is a fraud, as are those who proclaim another gospel.

The message in itself is good news, but the reason it is good news for us is because of the impact it can have on us. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believeth in Him might not perish, but might have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Those who believe the message and who commit their lives to Jesus in faith thus have the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. They have a personal relationship with God which is called “salvation.” This comes purely through faith and never faith PLUS something else. We receive the gospel by faith, and then we express what has happened in our hearts through our actions toward God and others. This is why it is such good news.

Lord, Remind us throughout the day of the good news message and why it is good news, and help us today to represent that message well. Amen.