But God did for US what we could NEVER EVER do for ourselves! HE CAME TO US! John 1:14 says that “the Word (Christ) became flesh, and dwelt among us....” Jesus Christ left heaven, added to His deity humanity, lived a sinless life, and offered Himself as the ONLY acceptable sacrifice PAYING IN FULL the penalty for our sin. JESUS CHRIST became the BRIDGE that reached across that impassable canyon which separated us from God. THAT is the FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH upon which the church is built! Our sin is forgiven and we are redeemed and covered by the righteousness of Christ ONLY through FAITH ALONE in CHRIST ALONE.
But in the past thirty years there has been a proliferation of “new gospels” here in the United States. Some such as the “new age” belief system, and Hinduism, are rooted in eastern mysticism. Others are based more on pop-psychology than they are on the gospel. However the church is wandering away from the central message of the grace of Christ isn’t a NEW problem. The Apostle Paul had to address this very issue with the church in Galatia.
I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ." --Galatians 1:6-7
Paul’s astonishment is not that false teachers exist, but that the church was following them! He had expected false teachers and in fact had warned the Ephesians elders (Acts 20:28-30) that false teachers would come. Notice that these false teachers were not opening denying the gospel message. They only wanted to “improve” the message by adding to it: requirements, new ceremonies and new standards. It is as if they are saying, “We believe in Jesus Christ – but we have something wonderful to add to what you already believe!” What they viewed as a “new” gospel was actually a distorted gospel. The word translated “distort” means to transform into something of an opposite character.
Paul explains that this new gospel or “good news,” is in reality not the gospel or “good news” at all! It is a counterfeit!
As Christians in America we believe in the freedom of religion, but Christians need to realize that does not make all religions equally true. While we defend the right of each individual in this country to worship as they choose, in so doing we not defending that all religions are also “the” truth. Jesus could NOT HAVE BEEN MORE CLEAR! John 14:6,”I am the way, the truth, the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” May we be challenged to consider that ANY OTHER GOSPEL being presented other than FAITH ALONE in CHRIST ALONE is misdirecting men and women away from the only truth that can save us from our sin! May those of us who teach be diligent and unwavering in presenting the uncompromised truth of our redeemer and Lord Jesus Christ.
