PROVISION FOR PROTECTION Spurious gospels abound in our land. Each of them can appropriately be called "another gospel . . . which is not another" (Gal 1:6-7). What is more, in order to embrace these gospels, one must "remove" himself from the real Jesus. Thus Paul wrote, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed FROM HIM that called you into the grace of Christ UNTO ANOTHER GOSPEL" (Gal 1:6). One of the sure marks of a false gospel is the absence or minimization of "the grace of Christ." -- Tomorrow:
"But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things . . . But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him." (1 John 2:20,27-29
Devotion 19 of 30
Perhaps it will be profitable to identify a few of these false gospels. None of them emphasize the Kingdom of God, God, Jesus, or the grace of God.
1. THE HEALTH AND WEALTH GOSPEL. This gospel announces that you do not have to be poor or sick. The claim is made that Jesus has delivered us from both poverty and sickness even though He was poor (Matt 8:20), and one of his chief apostles had a chronic infirmity (2 Cor 11:30).
2. THE GOSPEL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. This gospel emphasizes the Holy Spirit, which is received by a routine. The receiving of the Holy Spirit is said to be separate from salvation. In this gospel, Christ Jesus is not the point, but the Holy Spirit.
3. THE PROBLEM RESOLUTION GOSPEL. This gospel boldly announces that Jesus is the answer to all of our problems. He is said to have an earnest desire to become involved in every facet of one's life. Instead of urging men to cast their care upon the Lord, this gospel announces there really is no need for care at all. Jesus will solve the problem. That is what He really wants to do.
4. THE HAPPY MARRIAGE GOSPEL. This gospel ignores the presence of single people, widows, and orphans, and boldly announces the family to be the primary unit of humanity. Jesus is represented as wanting every home to be happy, and to be energetically working to that end even though He said He would divide some homes (Matt 10:34-36).
5. THE GOSPEL OF THE CHURCH. This gospel focuses on the church. The aim of it is to enable the individual to identify the one true church. There is no need of transformation or personal conformity to the image of Christ. The main thing is to be part of the right church, which has the right name, and does all of the right things.
6. THE GOD AND COUNTRY GOSPEL. This gospel presents "another Jesus" whose aim is to produce godly nations. The pinnacle of achievement is when the government and the church are brought together.
7. THE YOUTH GOSPEL. The gospel announces the youth are the church of tomorrow, conveniently ignoring the church of today. There is little need for Jesus in this gospel. The main thing is to make the youth feel at home, and to recognize their seeming potential.
8. THE POSITIVE THOUGHT GOSPEL. This is a gospel that accents the making of noble resolutions. It teaches men that if they will just think about noble things, they will eventually come to pass. In this gospel, the ability of man is overstated.
9. THE GOSPEL OF WORSHIP. This gospel announces that what God really wants from man is worship. By"worship," they mean singing particularly choruses. "Man was made," they say, "to worship God" even though God said man was made to "have dominion" (Gen 1:26-27). In this gospel, "worship" has nothing whatsoever to do with "holiness" (Psa 29:2) or "truth" (John 4:23-24).
10. THE GOD LOVES EVERYONE GOSPEL. This gospel boldly announces that God loves everyone – even though God has affirmed there are people that He hates (Psa 11:5; Prov 6:16-19). This gospel declares that God is really not offended with man's foolish ways, but can handle their anger, even when it is directed toward Him. No matter what a person does, this gospel says God still loves them. It also affirms that God's love is unconditional – even though Divine love is associated with conditions (John 14:23; John 16:27).
GOD DOES NOT WORK THROUGH FALSE GOSPELS
It should not be necessary to say this: God does not work through false gospels. The fact that the Gospel "is the power of God unto salvation" applies only to the real Gospel. It does not apply to "another gospel." What is said to be accomplished through the Gospel NEVER takes place through "another gospel."
1. SERVING GOD. "For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit IN THE GOSPEL of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers" (Rom 1:9).
2. PEOPLE BEGOTTEN. "For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you THROUGH THE GOSPEL" (1 Cor 4:15).
3. PARTAKING OF THE PROMISE. "That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ BY THE GOSPEL" (Eph 3:6).
4. LIFE AND IMMORTALITY MADE KNOWN. "But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light THROUGH THE GOSPEL" (2 Tim 1:10).
5. RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR MAN REVEALED. ". . . the gospel of Christ . . . For THEREIN is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith" (Rom 1:16-17).
No person is serving God who delivers "another gospel." No person is born again by means of "another gospel." It is not possible to participate in the promises of Christ by means of "another gospel." Life and immortality cannot be clarified by "another gospel." It is impossible to become aware of the righteousness of God and its imputation to men by means of "another gospel."
If the primary message of the church ever becomes anything other than the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, it will at once becomes impotent. All of its programs are rendered void of Divine power, and thus cannot accomplish the will and purpose of God. Faith, which "comes" through the heralding of the real gospel (Rom 10:14- 17) is thus rendered impossible, and men are closed off from it (Gal 3:23).
There is no additional or auxiliary message that shares in the power of the Gospel. There is no higher message that brings an equal or greater degree of Divine enablement to men. Let no man dare to listen to, be tolerant of, or to embrace "another gospel." The fact that it is "another" makes it wrong.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus raise up men and women who will oppose other gospels.