#78-G24 ~ Galatians 1:8-10
How does a person get to heaven? That’s certainly a controversial subject. Here, again, we’ll spend time addressing all this to provide a clear and correct understanding of it.
In Galatia Paul had enjoyed an effective ministry. A number had been saved, but after his departure false teachers came in preaching a different gospel, namely, things related to what we can rightfully call the gospel of the circumcision. This was “another gospel” in that it was one of a different kind. It included the Mosaic Law and more. We will note that in this passage Paul repeats himself to stress that fact that a different and unacceptable gospel was being presented to them. The contrast is between what is called the gospel of the circumcision vs. the gospel of the uncircumcision. The gospel of the circumcision was the gospel Peter and the eleven were commissioned to present. Paul’s gospel was different. It was NOT the same. Paul was constantly dealing with teachers who would come in after him and contradict what he had taught. In those cases, the Mosaic Law was brought in as something additional that had to be observed for salvation. Such has never been the case.
In II Corinthians 11:14-15 we find something similar. There we find how Satan seeks to portray himself as an “angel of light.” His representatives present themselves as “ministers of righteousness.” Notice–righteousness, not unrighteousness. In other words, Satan is not doing at all today what most people think he’s doing. It is Satan who promotes so much of the good deeds of righteousness in the world today. It’s just that he wants these works of righteousness done independently of God.
I then read a quote from my book–22 Key Promises you can count on (page 154)–from the writings of Lewis Sperry Chafer, the founder of Dallas Theological Seminary. In one of the volumes of his systematic theology, he speaks of Satan and the work he does in the world today.
We then go to Matthew 6:24. There I simply point out that man must decided which way he’s going to go with his life–God’s way or man’s way and Satan’s way.
I Thessalonians 2:3-6 is another passage we address. There we see that Paul’s motives were pure, but such is never the case with “religious” teachers.
Galatians 1:11 is where we close out this study to then pick up with this next time.
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