The apostle Paul, driven by the Holy Spirit, urgently penned a personal letter to the church in Galatia. His words carry a weight of importance, a poignant study on the need to know the gospel message and adhere to it only. Paul's astonishment is palpable as he states, "I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed (Galatians 1:6-9). The passage confirms that using religious language based on human understanding can be problematic. It suggests that many people who create and follow a system that goes against what God has provided through Christ are falsifying His message to us. This dilemma causes people to lose their devotion to God. 

Because of this lack of true gospel messaging from many who are not true faith teachers, we have a lack of reverence problem in the church today. Many modern religions do not emphasize the need to fear God (Proverbs 1:7) or recognize the need for redemption. As one of my brothers in Christ puts it, "To many, God is just a benevolent Santa Claus in the sky, ready to reward those who acknowledge Him through rote expressions of modern-day legalism and traditions." These aspects of the church today are simply repeating Judaistic activities that Christ sought to liberate people from. If you are a pastor-teacher of the word of God and you are not imparting and demonstrating the need to fear God, revile Hell, and the need to understand and reject sinful behavior, you are not doing your job! You are distorting the gospel; many who have and continue to do so will be held accountable for their abject error.

In life, there are only two religions that we truly practice. We either live a life of accounted righteousness if we are saved through God’s regeneration (John 3:8; Titus 3:5) or a life of unrighteousness if we are not. We will favor one and despise the other because it is impossible to serve both, and our lives will reveal our choices. Even if we try to present the one we embrace in a positive light, the fruit we bear will demonstrate our commitment to the one we really serve (1 John 2:29). I suggest that today, you choose the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6), following the religion of the Narrow Gate, the Narrow Way (Matthew 7:13-20), the solid Foundation (Matthew 7:24), and the teachers of the Word of God who are aligned with Christ. These are the ones the Holy Spirit uses to help you bear good fruit (2 Timothy chap. 2). Align yourself with Christ, admonishing the only true gospel. 

You have a choice to make: follow the gospel of Christ (righteousness) or serve the desires of the flesh, the world, and Satan (unrighteousness). Sin lies at the door and has an appetite for you. Cain made this error in choice, and he suffered dearly because of it. This week, examine your church, pastor, and other congregants. Is there an absolute goal in trying to live a life according to the gospel of Christ, or is it just a mere shadow of this truth? If so, a change may need to be made. A church family should be like God’s message to Cain in your life. They should seek to hold you accountable for the life you should live in Christ and nothing else. As Iron sharpens iron, the countenance of another sharpens and hones those who are in need (Proverbs 27:17; Ecclesiastes 8:1), ensuring that all are adhering to the only true gospel, fearing God as we should with reverence for our Lord and Savior and holding each other accountable. 

"If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it" (Genesis 4:7; God's appeal to Cain for him to desire righteousness).

Have a blessed week.

Pastor Anthony