How can we be sure that what we read of the Gospel is truth? After all it has been translated over and over again into many languages and tongues. How can we be sure that nothing is lost or perverted and so continue in a faith that is 2000 plus years old? In the day in which we live where even the President of the United States lies so effortlessly, and distorts to his own end facts and statements to lead astray and foster his agenda, we need to be on our toes when it comes to truth. The premise of this blog then is that Paul whose title this blog is about received direct revelation from God the Father about Jesus and his death and atonement. You can be sure that given the explosive way that God intervened in his path it was not only for effect but for effective purposes given that Paul was thoroughly Jewish and thoroughly zealous for God, so therefore God had to be equal to the task and apprehend Paul in such manner. So that the Gospel could be spread through the Gentile populations, God separated him from the current Apostles save for Peter and James whom he met three years after his conversion. So we have the self same message divinely given to Paul and the message given in person the the 12 who spent three years walking and talking to the savior. Amazing!
So in the letter to the Galations, apparently there were those who brought into the Church, false teachings to which the Galations listened to and maybe gave heed to. Paul was "astonished" that they left so quickly the message of "the Gospel" and were open to "another Gospel" which Paul said was not a Gospel at all! After all Gospel simply means good news. The good news that the Kingdom of God had arrived here on earth and salvation for man was available for all not just for a select few or select race any longer. The truth was out!
Now in the manner to which we hear today about the Gospel...it is entirely the same as then. It is preached, it is heard, and it is either accepted or thrown away depending upon which soil it falls on. Look to the parable Jesus told his disciples. But and this is a big but....it absolutely has to be unadulterated not twisted in any way to have the power it is supposed to have for conversion to happen. Don't go to church for the programs, the nurseries, or even the fellowship alone or the promise that God will give you thousand fold if you give to the Church. I just don't see that doctrine in the Gospel. But what I do see is the promise of the HOly Spirit promised and given to those who believe on Jesus. This is the root of salvation and is just the tip of the iceberg of the journey you are about to begin. For we work out our Salvation with "fear and trembling." Daily we take up the cross and follow another way. Not our own any more. For giving to the poor, or loving our enemy, or forgiving the horrendous things some one does is not a natural response we have within ourselves. It takes the Spirit. And so Paul admonishes the Galations for easily losing the truth they heard, and following another Gospel.
So we have a responsibility as Christians to follow the truth, and not a winding path that proceeds to lead us astray. How you say? Do we know we are going In the right direction? Test it. Test the ones who say they are Christians. Do they live by it? Or do you see hypocrisy? Is it strong and actionable? Or weak like the Laodicean church? Are they rich, or are they poor , blind and naked? It is sometimes a disappointing journey to find out these things but necessary. For as Jesus warned, we will all be judged on every empty word. That is a fearful place to be. And today we must be sure to believe the Gospel as presented in Scripture as Paul exhorted his church. He went through Hell to give us these letters! And he was blessed in his logic and presentation to us today that we can read these letters of his and glean from them a truth about a Savior who never lied.
No comments:
Post a Comment