Galatians
1:6 I am astonished that you are so
quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to
a different gospel.
The book of Galatians has a
relevant message for modern man. With all the religions of the world, which is
the one to be chosen? No matter the choice, the adherent is beholding to that
religion’s system of laws and practices that will earn them their way into the
great eternity beyond. Without the proper effort and good works, no one will
reach that desired place. What is the modern man to do?
Disturbing news had reached Paul from the Galatian
church. The message he had formerly taught the people there about faith in
Jesus Christ was now being abandoned by the people. False teachers had come and
begun teaching a different message. Their “gospel” included information about
Jesus but was supplemented with the need to maintain the Mosaic Law. In other
words, faith in Christ alone was insufficient for the Christian to please God
and to enter into heaven. Included in their teaching was the need for all men
to be circumcised as a requirement for being seen as a child of God. The other
ritual laws of the Old Testament teachings were included in their instruction.
You and I cannot earn our way into heaven. Anything short
of faith in Christ is a gospel different than what is taught in the New
Testament. Whether you attempt to abstain from this, only choose that, be nice
to certain people, give food to the hungry, you will still fall short. None of
us can live a perfect loving, caring and giving life. So what is the modern man
or woman to do?