Staying True to the Gospel: Lessons from Galatians
The book of Galatians provides powerful insights into what makes a church successful long-term and how to stay true to the gospel message. As we consider churches that have faithfully preached the gospel for decades, we must ask: how do we continue that success into future generations?
Paul faced similar questions when writing to the churches in Galatia (located in modern-day Turkey). These were churches he had planted during his first missionary journey, but they quickly became distorted in their understanding of the gospel. Galatians is one of Paul’s earliest letters, addressing how churches can stay true to the authentic message of Jesus Christ.
What is an Apostle and Why Does It Matter?
Paul begins by establishing his authority: “Paul, an apostle, not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead” (Galatians 1:1).
The term “apostle” is used in two ways in Scripture:
- The office of apostle – Jesus personally called 12 apostles (with Matthias replacing Judas). To hold this office, one needed to have seen the resurrected Christ and been personally called by Jesus. Paul qualified because he saw the risen Christ on the road to Damascus and was personally called to be the apostle to the Gentiles.
- Those who witnessed the risen Christ – Paul also uses this term more broadly to refer to others who saw Jesus after His resurrection, like James (the brother of Jesus).
This distinction matters because some today claim to be “apostles” with authority equal to Scripture. However, the biblical qualification for apostleship cannot be met today since we haven’t physically seen the risen Christ yet.
What is the True Gospel Message?
Paul summarizes the gospel in Galatians 1:4: “[Jesus] gave himself for our sins to deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.”
The gospel is good news – the ultimate good news that while we were broken, God came to us and provided a way to be made whole and brought into His family. Jesus gave Himself for our sins to deliver us from this present evil age and secure our eternity.
This message must remain at the center of everything the church does. Paul was “astonished” that the Galatians were “so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and turning to a different gospel” (Galatians 1:6).
Is There More Than One Way to God?
Paul makes it clear: “Not that there is another [gospel], but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:7).
Our culture often suggests that all roads lead to the same God, or at least many roads do. But Paul emphatically states there is no other gospel. This isn’t unfair – it’s actually an incredible act of grace.
Consider this: A holy, righteous, pure, and perfect Creator was rebelled against by His prized creation. Instead of destroying the rebels, God had a plan to redeem us. He sacrificed His own Son so we could know Him again. The fact that there is even one road back to God is an amazing act of mercy.
How Can We Recognize a Distorted Gospel?
Paul provides several markers of a distorted gospel:
A distorted gospel originates with man, not God
The authentic gospel always starts with God reaching out to us before we even thought about Him. False gospels often promote supernatural experiences or prosperity over authentic relationship with Jesus.
A distorted gospel doesn’t call you to change
Paul’s life was dramatically transformed – from persecuting Christians to becoming one. The true gospel always calls us to change, while false gospels let us remain comfortable.
A distorted gospel enables your desires rather than transforming them
Paul had to choose between following Christ (and losing everything) or keeping his status (and losing Christ). A legitimate gospel gives us God’s desires rather than simply fulfilling our own.
A distorted gospel values process over relationship
Paul’s former life in Judaism prioritized traditions and systems over relationship with God. The authentic gospel prioritizes personal relationship with Jesus as the whole point of our faith.
What Are the Effects of the True Gospel?
When the authentic gospel is present, two things happen:
Lives are changed
The gospel changes our hearts first, which then produces good works. Good works are the fruit, not the root. We don’t do good works to change ourselves; we are changed by Christ, which results in good works.
God is glorified
When Paul’s transformation became known, “they glorified God because of me” (Galatians 1:24). The authentic gospel doesn’t draw attention to people but to God. People don’t say “those people are great” but rather “God is great, and we see it in those people.”
Life Application
The challenge before us is to continue preaching the authentic gospel – not just from pulpits but in every area of our lives. We must teach and preach the gospel through our words, our actions, and how we share with those around us.
Ask yourself:
Am I holding to the authentic gospel, or have I allowed distortions to creep in?Does my life show evidence of being changed by the gospel?Do people glorify God because of what they see in me, or am I drawing attention to myself?In what ways can I more effectively share the true gospel in my circles of influence this week?
The success of the church depends on our commitment to stay true to the gospel message – that while we were sinners, Christ died for us, and through Him we can be reconciled to God. This is the message that has transformed lives for centuries, and it’s the only message that will continue to do so.
