Believers in the New Covenant of God in Christ Jesus - PART 49

Today, we continue with the emerging theme "separating the wheat from the tares." Paul, who was an apostle to the non Jews, in writing to the Galatians penned these words.  "I marvel that some of you are so soon removed from the good news of the gospel." Actually, he was dumbfounded that some had so quickly deserted faith in the finished and completed work of Jesus. Was it not Jesus who purchased the free gift of salvation without works on our behalf? 


Instead of believing the plan of salvation, some are instead deliberately presenting to people another gospel. Of course, there never could be another gospel. God's plan of salvation is the same yesterday, today and forever. Unfortunately, however, certain individuals believe that they have formulated a better plan of salvation, and in so doing, are upsetting believers by distorting the good news.


Listen carefully to Paul. He states that even though he himself or some angel from heaven proclaimed a gospel that contradicts the gospel message that he originally preached, God’s curse needs to be on this misguided messenger.  Do you think it is man’s favour, or God’s, that I am trying to win now? Shall I be told that I am courting the good will of men? Am I canvassing for men’s support? If I were seeking to please men, then I would no longer be a servant of the Christ. Paul continues.

Indeed, I certify and remind you brethren, that the good news which I delivered to you is no mere human invention. It is not just a story that can be created and recreated depending on the audience. Why? Because the original message was not from man. Neither did Paul create the message. As he states, I received this message. I received the gospel message and learned it, not as a result of fallen man’s wisdom but through revelations from Jesus the Christ. "For it had pleased God who had set me apart even before my birth, and later called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me. God enabled me to tell the good news to the non Jews."Ordained of God to be an apostle, the Lord confirmed and affirmed my apostleship.

Galatians chapters 1 and 2 further elaborate on this point.

But today, as in Paul's time, there are still false prophets who want to present a different gospel message. There are still those people who challenge the doctrinal foundations and good news salvation message within the new covenant. And there are still others who want to defend the old covenant - as adherents of the old covenant. It is in these contexts that we challenge the positions of the established church fathers of 300AD who changed the gospel message arbitrarily.

Remember, God said that He would separate the wheat from the tares.

In Galatians, chapter 2 verse 11, we read about Peter arriving in Antioch. Paul said that he opposed him because his conduct condemned him. In fact, there he stood self condemned, his conduct being that he associated himself with the non Jews. When some Jews appeared on the scene, then Peter disassociated himself from the non Jews. Peter was fearsome of offending those who still held to circumcision.

The situation snowballed and the rest of the Jews played the hypocrite along with Peter. But not for long. Paul reacts to Peter's conduct saying, "But when I saw that they were not dealing straightforwardly with the truth of the good news, I said to Peter, before them all, if you who were born a Jew, adopt gentile customs. Instead of Jewish, why are you trying to compel the gentile converts to adopt Jewish customs?By what right?

We are believers in the new covenant of God in Christ Jesus. Men and women have been justified simply by faith in Jesus the Christ, and not by doing what the law commands. We ourselves have believed in Christ Jesus so as to get justified by faith in Christ and not by doing what the law commands. For by doing what the law commands, no person shall be justified. Observance of the law cannot win acceptance for a single human creature. As far as the law is concerned, I consider that I died on the cross with Christ. Nevertheless, now I live in Christ (for He put Himself in my place). I do not nullify the grace of God; for if acquittal from guilt comes through the law, then Christ has died in vain.

Still, there are today those of the Jewish persuasion who are endeavouring to add circumcision as an addendum to the new covenant. They are unfortunately frustrating the grace of God. They have failed to understand God's plan of salvation. We will continue this topic in the days to come. In the interim, God bless you one and all! In Jesus we are safe evermore. Stand in the offering plate.