Galatians 1:8
“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!”
All throughout the Bible there has been a corrupting influence on the faith. Many in Israel adopted idols of the surrounding nations. If it wasn’t a physical idol, it could have been an idol of the heart. Something else took the place of the Lord. The same is true today. Idolatry of the heart is a problem. People with pursuits other than God.
Today’s passage refers to more than distractions. But a changing or a substitution of beliefs. From the very beginning, the evil one has been twisting God’s Words. The famous phrase “Did God really say” (Genesis 3:1), put doubt into Adam and Eve’s minds. Was God really good and did He want the best for them? Thus they were lead astray. The Galatians also bought into falsehood.
Keeping pure in doctrine is one of the purposes of the church. There is weekly teaching that is to be heard. This motivates, instructs and keeps the people reading and following the Bible. The word orthodox refers to adhering to proper creeds and beliefs. This is part of the church’s job.
The Galatian lie was to keep some of the law in addition to their faith in Christ. Paul pointed out in verse seven that it really wasn’t another gospel. Ours is one of grace. It was all Jesus and His substitutionary death. We can add nothing to it. Sure the Commandments are good, but not as a means to salvation.
Heretics have always tried to add their special emphasis. Something that makes them and their followers elite. At a retreat I heard the speaker challenge the people to be radical in their commitments and take an oath. My mind instantly went to Matthew 5:34, “But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God.” The speaker brought up this verse also. But told us not to worry, for God is gracious and would forgive any failed vows. He spoke for another hour about having an intense faith and making these super commitments (vows). There was some allure to this mammoth challenge; almost as if we were challenged to climb Everest. However, this was a slight variation from God’s Word. We understand that being one degree off can cause us to be lost by hundreds of miles. This speaker was pointing people towards legalism; an emphasis on our works verses God’s work. This was the same work that these Galatian corruptors were doing.
Lord, keep us from wrong beliefs. Help us to do our part by staying in church and in Your Word.