Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Beware of Lies and False Gospels

(Background passage: Galatians 1:1-9) 

6I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.  -Galatians 1:6, 7 (KJV) 

In the mid 1980’s I had the opportunity to see in person Christian comedian Jerry Clower.  His humor was told with his southern charm and some unique Mississippi phrases which always left his audience falling over with laughter.  I recall a story he told about two men who had a bet about whether one of them could eat an entire watermelon.  The one who had been given the challenge looked over the watermelon carefully.  He then told his friend to wait a few minutes until he had gone to his house.  After a short while the man returned and stated he was ready for the challenge.  The man then proceeded to cut up the watermelon and eat it, piece by piece, all the way to the rind.  

Afterwards the other man, impressed by his friend’s accomplishment, asked what he had done at his house. “Well,” the man replied, “I had a watermelon just the same size as this one at home.  I ran to the house and ate all of it, and so I figured if I could eat that one I could surely eat this one.”  People are a great deal like this with the falsehoods which often come our way.  Countless people will believe one untruth only to be quickly taken in by another.  Paul the Apostle was grieved over the Galatians’ willingness to be led astray by a false gospel, which as Paul said was no gospel at all.  Paul made the bold statement that even if an angel from heaven preached some other gospel then let him be accursed (vv 8, 9).   

People will believe false gospels, and even believers can be taken in by other falsehoods.  One of the most prevalent I see these days is the lie that you are worthless and of no importance to God.  From this comes a nagging feeling of hopelessness which drags us down into a pit of despair and discouragement.  Do not give in to the lie which says you are worthless.  In God’s eyes you are a unique individual of immeasurable worth and potential.  You have abilities, talents, and much good to share with the world. 

Do not fall prey to the lies and false gospels of the world.  Look to Jesus Christ, claim His promise of new life, and walk forward in victorious faith.  When doubt creeps in take a firm stand upon God’s Word.  The Lord will, through faith in Him, drive doubt and fear from us. 

Stop doubting, start believing, and know that you have a place in God’s kingdom.

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