Galatians 1:6-9. I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!
No one is exempt from the fundamental problem of mankind. Scripture makes it clear that all people are born under the power of Satan (Revelation 12:9), enslaved by original sin (Romans 3:23), and spiritually dead—separated from God (Ephesians 2:1). From the moment of birth, people are caught in the devil’s traps: self-reliance and self-centeredness (Genesis 3:5), corruption and indulgence in worldly pleasures (Genesis 6:1-8), and prideful pursuit of material success and achievement (Genesis 11:1-9).
Beyond personal struggles, they are imprisoned in Satan’s frames—trapped under the influence of oppressive powers (Acts 13:4-12), enslaved to economic systems rooted in darkness (Acts 16:16-24), and blinded by the culture of this world (Acts 19:8-41). As a result, every person lives as a child of the devil (John 8:44), worships idols (Exodus 20:4-5), suffers mentally (Matthew 11:28), physically (Acts 8:4-8), and is ultimately condemned to hell (Luke 16:19-31). Worse yet, they pass on these spiritual problems to future generations, leaving behind generational curses (Matthew 27:25).
In their desperation for peace and purpose, people turn to religion (Matthew 12:43-45), philosophy (Colossians 2:8), moral behavior (Isaiah 64:6), legalism (Romans 3:20), or even a “different gospel which is no gospel at all” (Galatians 1:6). These alternatives may seem helpful, but they cannot resolve mankind’s spiritual condition or restore the relationship with God.
The people in Jesus’ time were also following different gospels. When Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” they replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets” (Matthew 16:13-14). Some followed John the Baptist’s message, focused on external repentance. Others were drawn to miracles, like those performed by Elijah. Some admired the compassion of Jeremiah. Still others simply categorized Jesus as another prophet.
But they completely misunderstood who Jesus truly was. Many were impressed by Him, even attempting to make Him king by force (John 6:15), but they followed Him for all the wrong reasons. Yes, Jesus preached repentance like John the Baptist, performed signs like Elijah, had deep compassion like Jeremiah, and spoke with authority like the prophets—but that was not the reason He came. That was not the gospel He proclaimed, nor the one Paul preached to the Galatians.
The only true gospel is that Jesus is the Christ. This is the gospel His disciples preached, the Early Church believed, and Paul boldly proclaimed. Jesus is the Christ who finished the work of the True King by destroying the works of the devil. He finished the work of the True Priest by shedding His blood to remove all curses, disasters, and calamities. He finished the work of the True Prophet by opening the way to God and saving us from eternal condemnation.
This is the gospel that transcends time, culture, and generations. It is the only gospel that must be proclaimed in our generation and passed on to the next. The greatest threat in the world today is the loss, distortion, and watering down of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This responsibility belongs to the Church, which God has appointed as the guardian of the gospel and the message of the cross.
Knowing the power of the gospel, Satan raises false teachers to confuse even the people of God. They replace the truth of the gospel with legalism, human tradition, religious activity, or mystical experiences. They try to dilute the grace of God and the power of the cross. They promote a prosperity gospel, which is no gospel at all. They claim to know God, but deny Him by how they live (Titus 1:12). They have a form of godliness but deny its power (2 Timothy 3:5). Tragically, many follow their teachings because their minds and consciences have been corrupted.
Jesus warned that only a few would choose the narrow road and enter through the small gate in the last days (Matthew 7:13-14). That is why we must keep our hearts pure to the gospel and help fellow believers stand firm in true faith, unswayed by different gospels.
To that end, hold tightly to the complete covenant God has given: Christ, the Kingdom of God, and the filling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:1-8). Make Christ the center of your life. Follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit daily. Fill your heart and mind with the Word. Use your God-given talents for the sake of the gospel. Do not waste your life chasing the things of this world. Instead, seek God’s desire for your life—to proclaim the only gospel that can block the disasters and curses plaguing our families, our nations, and the world.
Prayer. Lord, move Your Church by the power of Your Spirit so we may block the disasters that have come upon this nation and the world by proclaiming only the true gospel. In Jesus’ name, Amen.