Is There Another Way In? Galatians 1
As a student in my late teens and early twenties, while I had part time employment, I was fairly broke as a lot of my other friends were as well. So, when it came to going out to night clubs, the aim was to save as much money as you could. The UV stamps could be easily transferred, but some people didn’t need a stamp; they just walked straight in. These were the only ways in though. You could show a pass from another club or plead poverty. The doormen were pretty inflexible, as well as quite big, so it was never attempted. Maybe you have had a membership to a gym or industry group lapse: they don’t continue to let you keep using the facilities. You need to be paid up.
Paul was addressing some bad theology from people who were proclaiming another way into heaven; just as we on earth have rules from legal entry to certain facilities or industry groups. But before he did so, he established his credentials and authority. This set the groundwork as to why they should listen to him.
Authority given by God the Father, through Jesus Christ: the same One who raised Jesus from the dead. (verse 1) He was about to deliver a message from the Lord and, as such, he wanted to affirm that both his message and his calling were from the Lord’s direct intervention. He even told the Corinthian church, “If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.”
How did we get here? Paul used the word astonished. He was amazed they were being deceived. (verse 6) How is it you are deserting the Grace of Christ and following another gospel – which isn’t a gospel? There is no other good news. Christ alone saves from sin.
No other way. Some causing trouble – dodgy doctrine – distorting Christ’s message. (verse 7) But let’s say the different gospel came from a heavenly source. Paul said let’s say the Apostles or an angel comes down and preaches another gospel. Paul said let the Apostles and the angel be accursed. I.E Under eternal judgement by God. Paul said the same for those who were preaching a different gospel. Let them be accursed. Judged by God! There is no other way in.
Paul knew this message wasn’t palatable – do I say this to please man? No. If that were the case, the very thing he said at the start of the letter would not be true – being an Apostle called by God.
What’s Paul’s reasoning? It’s God’s idea. (verses 11, 12) It came from God, delivered on earth by Jesus Himself and then given directly to Paul by direct revelation from Jesus on the road to Damascus – blinding light, etc, etc. Paul had undeniable personal proof of the gospel message.
So, what is the gospel that Paul was talking about? Gospel simply means good news; from the Greek word, evangelion. Where, of course, we get the word, evangelist; one who gives the good news. In a nutshell, it is this: we are all spiritually dead and therefore we die physically, due to our ancient relative Adam, who rebelled against God. All have inherited Adam and his wife Eve’s sin as a result. Therefore, we are separated from God from birth. The only way back is through accepting the gracious gift of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for our personal sin. It must be embraced by us; you have to do that. Once you confess your sin, accept Christ as your Saviour from sin, believe in your heart God raised him from the dead confirming his authority to defeat sin, death and the devil, you will be saved from your sin. You are a son or daughter of the king; when you die, you will rule and reign with Jesus in heaven for time without end, for eternity be free from sin, death and judgement and live in the light of Christ’s love and power, worshipping Him. That’s the gospel, that’s the good news. Paul wanted to protect that message.
Paul then shared a brief history of his background. (verses 13-24) Started in Judaism – persecuted the church, he advanced in Judaism. (verse 14) Zealous for the traditions of Judaist/Pharisaic teaching. BUT! God’s grace showed him the error of that teaching. He then went to preach to the Gentiles: did not even get taught immediately by the Apostles until after 3 years to visit Peter/Cephas, as well as James the brother of Jesus. He didn’t hang around in Jerusalem or Judea. Only after 14 years travelling, did he return to Jerusalem. (Galatians 2:1)
So, what was happening in Galatia? Paul was so concerned that he wrote this letter. There were Jews who were turning the people back to Judaism and were telling the believers in the church that they needed to follow the law of Moses. I.E That they needed to get circumcised, eat certain foods, obey the feast days listed in the law. Paul got very passionate about this message, because he had come from that himself.
No other way to heaven!! If there was another way, Paul would have found it. He told another church, the Philippians, this: “If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day,… blameless.” (Philippians 3:4-6) Paul knew that life very well and knew that it stood against the grace of God.
He got so passionate about his message. If people want to abuse the gospel so much and think that by getting circumcised that they will be right with God, Paul bluntly told such people in Galatians 5:12, “I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!” I.E don’t just get circumcised; Paul said cut the lot off. Brutal Pauline advice happening there. You can feel his passion for the gospel though.
Paul didn’t even tolerate a bad witness from an apostle if it stood against the grace of the gospel. (Galatians 2:11-14)
Who bewitched (spiritually blinded) you? Fools! Paul called them. (Galatians 3:1-3) Again in Galatians 5:7, “You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?”
Satan was starting to blind these believers. The church wasn’t that old, but already Satan was trying to destroy it by saying there was another way to be right with God. There wasn’t. But what about us? Could it ever happen to you or me? Paul actually told us exactly what will happen to us and is already happening in our day.
Depart from the faith. 1 Timothy 4:1-5 There is one church particularly that is described here.
Teachers who tickle the ears 2 Timothy 4:1-4. Tell people what they want to hear. Paul speaks of our day. It’s happening right now. This is not just the Catholic Church – this is also happening in mainline protestant church – those who historically have held to the gospel. I find it quite frightening.
There is no other way but Jesus. Christ alone saves. Don’t add anything else to it. This is not like a spiritual UV stamp that you can get transferred from your parents so you get into heaven.
What must we do? Clearly keep the cross of Christ central. Test everything a preacher or online teacher says with the Word of God. To do this you must know the Word yourself. Satan is subtle; his desire is to distract, then destroy your faith. But for those who are truly saved, this will be impossible. Praise God!