Galatians tells of us of "another" or "different" Gospel being possible. Gal 1:6
Galatians also reveals those who start out right in the Gospel, by a work of the Spirit and end up going back to the law. If we leave the real Gospel we must return to legalism and religious laws, traditions, and doctrines of men to replace the real Gospel. An example of this is when Jesus reminded them that He was Lord of the Sabbath. Not the other way around. Some make their doctrines higher than the Lord of all doctrines. Gal 1:1-3
It is good to examine our faith and the Gospel that we are teaching.
"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?" 2Cor 13:5
We need to make sure it is the Bible we are preaching and teaching. What God do we know and teach? What Lord do we serve? What Spirit are we filled with? God’s Spirit, the world’s spirit, religious spirits? May the message of the Gospel be clear and balanced and Biblical and devoted to the foundational truths which do not change.
It seemed important to Paul to handle the Gospel in 4 ways. He was committed to these:
1. Preaching the Gospel: First was the preaching of the Gospel.
"The scriptures foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham…" Gal 3:8
"We have previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his Gospel in spite of strong opposition." 1Thes 2:2
"Surely you remember, brothers, our toils and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the Gospel of God to you." 1Thes 2:9
Paul was an expert at carrying the Gospel wherever he went.
2. Entrusted with the Gospel: Secondly, he was so conscious of being entrusted by God with the Gospel. God entrusted into his hands something God loves! "On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts." 1Thes 2:4
Rom 1:14 -16 says – "He was ready! He was a debtor to the Gospel. He was not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ." Stay true to the message and the task!
3. Demonstrating the Gospel: He knew the Gospel was not just words but must be demonstrated by the power of the Holy Spirit at work NOW! "…because our Gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake." 1Thes 1:5
4. Furthering the Gospel: Paul was committed to the furthering of the Gospel. There is Go in Gospel. The Gospel is always looking for another place to go. Phil 1:12
It was Preaching the Gospel, Entrusted with the Gospel, Demonstrating the Gospel by the power of the Spirit and furtherance of the Gospel!
Let’s do the same!