New Gospel?
Today there is a massive movement to twist the gospel into something that it is not. In fact, the world is attempting to replace the gospel with a “new” gospel. There are many groups but all are striving to pollute and draw believers and those coming closer to salvation away. However, this isn’t the first occurrence of this danger, but rather something believers have had to deal with for centuries. Paul had to deal with the Galatians who were fumbling around with a new gospel.
Galatians 1:6-10 “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 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. 9 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. 10 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.”
The Galatians were turning to a new gospel instead of staying true to the Word of God, an issue Paul was going to address immediately, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.” What Paul is saying is that he is shocked that the Galatians are turning to a fake gospel which is no gospel at all. They were listening to something that was not even considered good news. This is important, and might sound difficult, so please bear with me. The gospel which means “good news” is only good news because we are in a terrible place and the good news is Jesus came, lived a perfect life, died for you and I and is resurrected. This is good news, if something isn’t good news, than we can conclude the “new gospel” didn’t even identify sin and that man was evil. Furthermore, we can summarize that this “new gospel” was stating that man was not sinful and we can find our own way to Heaven. Jesus wasn’t needed. This brings us to understand that the new gospel was a message of “feel good” to tickle the ears and make someone leave church with a smile of self righteousness.
Yet, Paul isn’t done there. He continues to explain that the Galatians are in need of a reality check and change of strategy immediately. “8 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. 9 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.” Paul states it twice, any time something or someone’s name is mentioned twice in quick sequence it should be taken very seriously. If only man would have listened to Paul there wouldn’t be the cults and false religions of the world. But “angelic” and man have gone out of their way to persuade many who have not taken the Word of God seriously. Examine the Seventh Day Adventist, they follow the identified plagiarist and cult leader, false prophet Ellen G. White. Just like what Paul is warning in Galatians, Ellen G. White brought a “new gospel” she directly contradicts Jesus Christ and thought salvation came through works and cherry picked laws of the Old Testemant. But what Ellen G. White did do, was provide a feel good gospel. Man always wants to feel self righteous, that we are doing it ourselves and are working hard to be better. This is contrary to what the Bible says through Genesis to Revelation. We need Jesus Christ to be our intercessor, our redeemer. For the Seventh Day Adventist, they follow strict guidelines that provide the new gospel sensation. The Galatians were in danger of this as well. However, Paul isn’t doing this to please the Galatians but to love on them enough to warn them of the danger, “10 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.” I know that calling out a specific cult is not popular and might even cause some readers to turn away, nevertheless, we need to be careful that we are not turning to a new gospel. There are many many others outside of the Seventh Day Adventist who we as born again believers should stay clear from.
So as you go through your day and are enjoying 2023, be on guard that you do not get persuaded by a new gospel. They are terrible and dangerous. When in doubt, take everything back to the Word of God and only His word. If someone claims something, examine what God’s word says. In the end, follow what the Word of God has to offer on a subject and know that the gospel of Jesus Christ has not changed and will not change.
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,
JL