6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! Galatians 1 (NIV)
The Good News of the Gospel is so incredible and the pride of man so intractable that the preaching of a different gospel is inevitable. It doesn’t matter how good your intentions or how substantial your body of work “for God,” the preaching of another gospel puts you under God’s curse. And pride is so strong that this “different gospel” slips in quickly. We are called to live in the grace of Christ and not of our own works. But pride says, “surely what I do counts for something.” Does the term “filthy rags” ring a bell?
So let’s be clear. “You lie, you fry.” Is cute and catchy, but not the gospel. The good news is that for the Christian frying is off the table. Even if not raising your hand because a preacher asks you to was lying.
So let’s be clear. JESUS IS MY SPOTTER. Precisely because he is in heaven, at the right hand of the Father where He is my advocate day and night. Do I need the loving feedback of my brothers? You bet I do. But the final word is His and no one else’s.
So let’s be clear. The message of Paul’s letter to the Philippians isn’t that we better get to work if we want to be saved. It is “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it…” Jesus saved you and every bit of sanctification that happens thereafter is the work of Him and His spirit and not yours. Get over it.
And, please note, the most accurate rendering of Philippians 2:12-13 is in the NLT:
Shine Brightly for Christ
12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Is the Christian walk easy? No. Is there fear and trembling? Yes. Because a holy God is present and working in us. Can a prayer save us? No. But a prayer can express the faith we have placed totally in Christ. When you get to heaven, ask the good thief on the cross. He’ll be happy to fill you in.
Is that cheap salvation? No. It’s free and don’t you make it cheap by making it seem my Jesus didn’t do enough.
Is there work to be done? You bet. Jesus is working in me and many need to hear the real gospel. They need to know the love and salvation that is complete and to know there is no condemnation. Those out there pandering the prideful “other gospel” has made the work all the more difficult.
So get it straight and get to work not because you have to to be saved, but because the love of Christ compels you.
Nick
Be the first to reply