Monday, November 06, 2006

What Gospel Are We Preaching?

Charley has spent much time recently studying in Galatians. This is where the Lord has taken him and he has been so intent in learning what Paul was preaching and teaching this group of people. In Galatians 1:6-10 we read:

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

In the world where we live there are people preaching other gospels than the one in this Word. There is only one gospel and that is the gospel of Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. When we receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we join the family of God as heirs according to the promise to Abraham. Our sins are forgiven and we receive the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. The gospel is salvation by grace not by works. Every word spoken by any pastor, teacher, preacher, or evangelist must be placed beside the Word of God for accuracy and truth. If it varies in any way from this truth then it is false doctrine and is to be discarded. We are bombarded with people’s thoughts, ideas and opinions daily through TV and music. Be very careful to only receive the truth from the Word and those who teach and preach Jesus and Him crucified and raised from the dead. In Galatians 3:1-7 Paul says:
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?—just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.
We are entering a very special and blessed season of the year where we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus. Daily we will be bombarded with the word 'holiday' rather than the word Christmas. Much has been said through the media about taking Christ out of Christmas. We praise the Lord that we choose to celebrate the birth of Jesus and let the world know that He is our Savior and soon coming King. We will live for Jesus daily!

We are so thankful this Thanksgiving season for all of the many blessings we have received this year. This has been a difficult year for us yet we have never failed to praise and thank our Lord for each day and His bountiful provisions and blessings. Jesus is Lord of our life and we will rejoice in Him.

God bless and keep each one of you! We love you!

Charley & Karen