Perversions of the Gospel – Galatians 1.1-10
‘Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.’ — Galatians 1:7
Everything that is good comes from God. James 1:17 says, ‘Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.’
Anything that is good, Satan tries to pervert, including the gospel of Christ. Perversion came very quickly on the heels of Paul’s first missionary journey.
He had proclaimed the good news (v.4-5):
- that Christ gave himself for our sins
- to deliver us from this present evil world (system)
- according to the will of God and our Father
- for the eternal glory of God.
But then, Paul was surprised (‘marvel’) to find that they had removed from God who called them into the grace of Christ. The Galatians began to believe another ‘gospel’ which is not a gospel but a lying perversion (v.6-7).
This perverted gospel was one that said they had to keep the law in addition to believing on Christ. It was adding in works to grace, which totally corrupts grace. The technical term for this is legalism.
Anytime something else is added to ‘salvation by grace through faith in Christ’ it is a perversion of the gospel. And those who add anything else to the pure gospel of Christ are to be accursed, no matter who they are (v.8-9).
So, it is very important that we:
- Understand the gospel of Christ.
- Not add anything else to the gospel.
- Not take anything away from the gospel.
- And that we spot perversions of the gospel.