For If I Yet Pleased Men, I Should Not Be the Servant of Christ - Part 1039

Insanity is often defined as doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results? Sadly, Christianity can often be categorized in this fashion. We are quick to get people "churched" but less enthusiastic about inviting these same people to get to know Jesus personally as their Saviour -- as the King of kings and Lord and lords. And then we wonder why the world is quickly sliding into a dark decline.

Paul wrote: "Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?" (Galatians 5:7)

In other words, who caused you to turn away from the good news gospel of our Lord God and Saviour, Jesus the Christ? It was He who knew no sin that paid the full price for our salvation. The cost? His precious holy blood shed on a cross for you and I. Even the scripture hath concluded, "all under sin -- that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe." (Galatians 3:22)

"Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid; for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily, righteousness should have been by the law." (Galatians 3:21)

But as the scriptures point out, the law could not bring salvation.

"Wherefore then, [serveth] the law? It was added because of transgressions till the Seed should come to whom the promises was made, [and it was] ordained by the angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not [a mediator of] one -- but God IS ONE." (Galatians 3:19-20)

"Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law .... seeing ONE God which shall justify the circumcision through faith." (Romans 3:28-30) The law being established as a schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ -- that we might be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:24-25)

"And the scripture, FORESEEING THAT GOD WOULD JUSTIFY THE HEATHEN THROUGH FAITH, preached before the gospel unto Abraham [saying], "In thee shall all nations be blessed." (Galatians 3:8)

Wow -- the mystery of the Godhead (that was hidden in the bosom of the Father since the beginning of the world) was unfolding. "He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not ... but as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God -- to them that believe on His name." (John 1:1-18)

"And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: GOD WAS MANIFEST IN THE FLESH, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)

But the modern day church(es) in this current dispensation of grace have changed the "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" into some form of tri-une God even though there are no scriptures in His Word to support this. (Ephesians 4:5)

This is why the apostle Paul wrote saying: "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel -- which is not another, but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:6-8)

And just in case the underlying warning was not received the first time, Paul repeated the same message again, "As we said before, so say I now again, "If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:9-10)

Paul adds even more clarity when he writes toward the end of Galatians. He writes: "Behold, I Paul say unto you -- that if ye be circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law. You are fallen from grace." (Galatians 5:2-4)

But it doesn't have to be this way. Jesus came to extend to us His gift of salvation. "For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves -- it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Receive Jesus into your heart today. Seek His righteousness through His Word. In fact, "study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth." (I Timothy 2:15)

Not as "churched" people but instead as "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light." (I Peter 2:9) Stand in the offering plate.