The Other Gospel – Galatians 1:6-10 ~Joseph Zoller
Truly there is only one true gospel; that of justification through faith alone, by grace alone, and through Christ alone. But what about the gospel for daily living? Are we sanctified by the same gospel that saved us? Of course we are, as Paul argues in Galatians. The grace that saved us is sufficient also to change us into the image of Christ.
What, then, is this other gospel that Paul speaks of in Galatians 1:6? It is the man-centered gospel that so many of us fall into on a daily basis. Christ introduced the gospel of grace; human beings naturally try to live by the gospel of works. Paul was astonished (1:4) that the Galatians had so quickly deserted the gospel of Christ and turned to the false gospel of works for merit. There is no other true gospel, only a devious distortion constructed by the devil. The other gospel is insidious and subtle, and it exists in the body of Christ; otherwise Paul would not have addressed it.
In chapter 3 Paul’s frustration reaches a crescendo. “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?” he cries. He cannot believe that people would so easily and quickly forget the message of the man they saw crucified. Paul’s love for the Galatians drove his concern for their spiritual well-being, and verses 2-3 reveal his incredulity at their foolishness. How could they be perfected by the flesh after having been justified by the Spirit? They received the Spirit by faith, not by works. Sanctification, therefore, is a work of the Spirit, not the flesh!
Yet how often am I just as foolish as the Galatians? How many times do I try to earn favor with God by my acts of service and obedience? Christ freed us from the curse of the law by becoming that curse for us (3:13). I mock His precious sacrifice by trying to please Him in my own strength. I am righteous before God because of Christ; nothing can change that! I am sanctified by the Holy Spirit, not my feeble attempts at Christ-likeness.
Paul’s conclusion in verse 10 cuts to the very heart of the matter, “Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man?” This is the question we all must answer for ourselves. Do I live with the ultimate motive of trying to please my Creator, Redeemer, and King? Or am I simply seeking the petty nod of my fellows here on earth?
Paul portrays the truth in harsh reality in 1:10, “If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Wow. When I fall into a lifestyle driven by the other gospel, I am not a servant of Christ. That runs completely contrary to my life’s mission as a so-called Christian. I might desire to serve Christ, but if I’m motivated by the praise of men then I am shooting myself in the foot.
What are your motives? I know this is a constant battle in my own life, and God is teaching me every day that He is my supreme audience, and His grace through Christ is the only true gospel.
Which gospel are you living by? The one that saved you, or the one that enslaves you?
