In the book of Galatians, Paul is writing to the churches of Galatia with a major concern – “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel” (Galatians 1:6).
This is a major concern, because there is ONLY ONE GOSPEL! There is only one true, message of Good News – the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is only one way, one gospel that fixes man’s broken relationship with God. But now these folks are starting to believe lies about the gospel, a false gospel – twisting of the gospel, adding to it, subtracting from it, completely changing it. They are not believing truth about God.
You know, we see this today too. There are many, many, many religions that will say, “Yes Jesus… plus something else.”
“Yes, believe in Jesus… and be a good person.”
“Yes, believe in Jesus… and be baptized.”
“Yes, believe in Jesus… and go to church, confess sins, pray prayers, tithe….”
Or other religions will take parts of the gospel away.
“Yes, believe in Jesus… but he wasn’t really God.”
“Yes, believe in Jesus… but since He is all about love, everyone will ultimately be ok.”
Or other religions completely change the gospel, completely alter the way to relationship with God (or whatever the end state is).
“Relationship with God is like a bicycle wheel… there are many spokes, but all going to the same center… just pick your own route”
“Whatever works for you, makes you happy, that’s what it’s all about; you’ve got it!”
“Do good, and you’ll receive good. Do bad, and you’ll receive bad… in this life or the next.”
The Bible is explicitly clear on what the ONLY ONE GOSPEL is. From Genesis to Revelation, there is one story, ONLY ONE GOSPEL.
-God created us, you and me, for Him. We were created to have a perfect relationship with God, to love Him and to glorify Him in ALL that we do. (Genesis 1:26-28, Colossians 1:16)
-We irreparably broke that perfect relationship as we sinned and chose to love the creation (self, others, things) rather than the Creator. No one is good, and the result is separation from God, death. (Genesis 3:6, Romans 1:24-25, Romans 3:10-12, 23, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:1-3).
-But God, who is rich in mercy and love, made a way for our relationship to be restored, for us to be made alive (Ephesians 2:4-5)
-Jesus, God in the flesh, came to accomplish the perfect requirements expected of us to have a relationship with God (John 1:14, Hebrews 7:26, Romans 3:21-26, Ephesians 2:1-10, Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 4:25)
-He lived a perfect life
-He died the perfect atoning death
-He rose to validate his life and death and secure the exchange – his righteousness for our sin
-There is now an invitation offered to all to repent from believing in ourselves to make things right with God, and to believe the Jesus makes our relationship with God right by forgiving our sins and declaring us right! (Mark 1:15, John 3:16)
-By faith in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, the ONLY ONE GOSPEL, we are resurrected with Jesus to live a new life:
-I am His, to glorify Him with my life
-I am a part of His church
-I am given His mission
There is ONLY ONE GOSPEL, and it is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16). It is only through Jesus that we can receive life, the greatest life.
