Legalism, A Perpetual Problem
“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed” (Gal.1:8,9). Paul and Barnabas had first brought the gospel in Galatia when they preached in Pisidia and Lycaonia. The people of this region were noted as being fickle. This certainly proved true in the spiritual area of their life. When the gospel of grace was preached to the Galatians, it was readily received. But shortly thereafter others came and preached “a gospel contrary to the one” Paul and Barnabas had proclaimed. We learn from the Galatian letter that it was a “works gospel”. Likely, some like those who troubled the Antioch, Syria congregation (Ac.15:1) found their way to Galatia. The acceptance of their message by the Galatian churches was unbelievable to Paul – “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” (1:6). Using sarcasm he accused them of being “bewitched” and called them “foolish” (3:1). While the apostle reminded the Galatian brethren there was really only one “gospel”, he declared, “there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ” (v7). The distorting of the “gospel” to “a different gospel” was a great danger faced by first century churches. And, it still is today. The Holy Spirit’s warning in the Galatian letter is a warning against turning the gospel of grace into a gospel of works. It is not merely about warning first century Christians not to turn to the Law of Moses. Rather, it is about legalism – trusting in what one does. Whoever makes the “gospel” out as a system whereby one is initially saved by grace, but then must rely on the efforts of their flesh to keep right with God, is distorting the “gospel”. Such is making the gospel “contrary to the one” Jesus’ apostles preached and is causing “trouble” for God’s saints. Why “trouble”? The works gospel puts a burden of earning salvation by doing enough upon brethren. It robs believers of their knowledge that they are saved and replaces it with uncertainty and despair. For those who preach such, Paul warned, “let him be accursed”.