Stand Firm - How They Ran

Galatians 1:6-10 (NIV)

[6] I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— [7] which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. [8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! [9] As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! [10] Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

(You can find these verses at: https://bible.com/bible/111/gal.1.6-10.NIV)

I work in IT, and one of our biggest daily battles is against fraud and phishing. People with bad intentions constantly send emails and even make phone calls, pretending to be someone they're not. Their goal? To extort money from the company.

Thankfully, we're all trained to spot these fakes. No matter how sophisticated the attempt, one major giveaway is almost always the sender's email address. Everything else might look perfect, but a quick hover over the "From" address can expose the fraud. It's such a simple step, yet it can save a company millions.

Why am I bringing this up? Because Paul is utterly frustrated with the Galatians. They've allowed themselves to be spiritually "phished." They've given away the priceless treasure of the Gospel. And why? Because they forgot to check the sender of the message. They forgot to check where the "Gospel" they were hearing actually came from.

In these verses, Paul points out two types of senders we shouldn't believe, and only one we should. But first, let's nail down what the Genuine Gospel looks like.

The Genuine Gospel: It's All About Grace

Galatians 1:6-7 (NIV)

[6] I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— [7] which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.

(You can find these verses at: https://bible.com/bible/111/gal.1.6-7.NIV)

Think about designer goods or high-end sports gear. Back when I was growing up, most people couldn't afford the genuine articles. So, you'd find markets selling fakes. The quality was usually terrible – they'd fall apart after one wear, and definitely wouldn't survive a wash.

But for a day, you looked good, and that's all that mattered to some. The shady origins, the terrible working conditions, the criminal rings running these operations? Not a thought.

Paul is furious with those who peddle a fake Gospel. But he's equally, if not more, angry at the Galatians for letting themselves be tricked.

He gives them the undeniable mark of the genuine Gospel—the one he originally preached to them. And what is that hallmark? Grace.

Paul feels betrayed because he taught them to "live in the grace of Christ." The key truth proving his message was genuine was grace.

So, what does this mean? It means God accepts us as we are, without preconditions, if we repent and believe in the Gospel. This grace transformed Paul's own life:

1 Timothy 1:12-14 (NIV)

[12] I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. [13] Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. [14] The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

(You can find these verses at: https://bible.com/bible/111/1ti.1.12-14.NIV)

2 Timothy 1:9-10 (NIV)

[9] He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, [10] but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

(You can find these verses at: https://bible.com/bible/111/2ti.1.1.9-10.NIV)

As we saw in our opening study, this grace saves all of us, without exception (Ephesians 2:8-9). It's the grace that sent Jesus Christ to die for us on the cross. It's the grace that takes broken, messed-up people and gives us a chance to live again.

But this grace doesn't leave us wallowing in sin. It comes with a powerful purpose:

Titus 2:11-14 (NIV)

[11] For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. [12] It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, [13] while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, [14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

(You can find these verses at: https://bible.com/bible/111/tit.2.11-14.NIV)

This grace transforms us from being broken by sin into people of health, wholeness, and Christ-likeness. It absolutely does not give us a license to live however we choose (Romans 6:1-4). This transforming grace is the hallmark of the genuine Gospel. It's a grace that loves us as we are, but loves us too much to leave us that way. It's a deep love for the sinner, but a deep hatred for the sin that ruins them.

On the flip side, any "Gospel" that puts preconditions on our salvation—no matter how well-intentioned—is a fake. If you encounter churches demanding you change anything before you come to Christ, that's profoundly wrong. But if they tell you to come as you are and He will change you through repentance, that's profoundly right.

If a church insists you can't be saved unless you perform a ritual, give a donation, or agree with their specific theology, they're peddling a fake. If a church encourages you to accept the Gospel first, above all else, then they are genuine.

The truth is, we are not saved by our work; we are saved by God's work. Any attempt to amend, top up, or improve the salvation Jesus brought us on the cross is a dangerous error.

Because Christ is enough. More than enough. And those who believe He is enough are genuine.

So, the genuine Gospel is one of all-sufficient grace. The fake "Gospel" is one of Jesus "plus." Now, let's look at where these fake "Gospels" come from. Paul first points to humans.

The Source of Lies: Humans

Galatians 1:8-10 (NIV)

[8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! [9] As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! [10] Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

(You can find these verses at: https://bible.com/bible/111/gal.1.8-10.NIV)

One of my favorite movies is "Catch Me If You Can," based on the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr. He ran away from home and became a master con artist, even impersonating a pilot to fly for free! He got away with it for a long time before being caught, eventually working as a fraud expert for the FBI. What's striking is how long a fraudster can operate undetected.

But people have been doing this in churches and cults for generations. For example, tax breaks for religious groups in Japan have led to the registration of 220,000 such groups. In the UK census, some people have tried to register as "Jedi knights" or "Klingons." While these might seem amusing, fictional "Gospels" are no joke. They can act like a vaccine, preventing people from encountering the real thing.

After Jesus ascended to heaven, the spread of the Gospel led to a proliferation of false "Gospels." These were often motivated by financial gain or jealousy, people trying to get "a slice of the pie." False Jewish teachers were definitely among them. And make no mistake, they are still around today!

As we saw, any "Gospel" that teaches human effort instead of God's transformative grace through Jesus Christ is not real. It's fake. It's no Gospel at all. This holds true whether your "Gospel" is linked to Buddhism, Hinduism, Shintoism, Sikhism, or even mainstream Christianity. It's true whether you identify as a Jehovah's Witness, Mormon, Presbyterian, or Catholic. It's even true if you call yourself an Evangelical.

If you preach, even for a second, that salvation is something to be achieved by human effort of any kind, you are preaching a false Gospel. Why? Because you're denying that Christ's sacrifice on the cross is enough to save us. And that will never do.

We must remember that God will not be mocked (Galatians 6:7-8). Some of these tricksters will face justice in this life, and all will certainly face justice in the next. Paul's words here are strong medicine, and we'll explore the severity of this justice after we look at the second source of "Gospels": Angels.

The Source of Lies: Angels

Galatians 1:8-9 (NIV)

[8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! [9] As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!

(You can find these verses at: https://bible.com/bible/111/gal.1.8-9.NIV)

Here, we enter controversial territory. We're about to examine the foundations of three major religious movements.

Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon church, claimed he received the Book of Mormon from an angel named Moroni. Regardless of whether one believes in such visions, this is what Mormons believe.

Muslims also believe the Quran came through angelic revelation to Mohammed.

The Baha'i faith similarly believes its scriptures were revealed through angelic means. All these groups share this core belief: their teachings come from angels.

And they also share something else: they are all wrong. Absolutely, one hundred percent wrong.

Why? Because they do not teach that the transformative grace of God, expressed through Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, is enough. All of them—every single one, and many more besides—teach that we can earn our salvation. The Bible teaches that we cannot.

Whether these angelic revelations are real or not is irrelevant. Paul teaches that even if they are real, they are still wrong. Why? Because they teach a fake "Gospel."

The existence of these visions and the lies they produce shouldn't surprise us. The Bible warns us:

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NIV)

[13] For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. [14] And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. [15] It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

(You can find these verses at: https://bible.com/bible/111/2co.11.13-15.NIV)

Matthew 24:23-25 (NIV)

[23] At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. [24] For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. [25] See, I have told you ahead of time.

(You can find these verses at: https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.24.23-25.NIV)

So, I'm not here to dispute whether these visions took place or if angels were involved. Miraculous visions might have happened. That part might even be true. But seeing visions of angels doesn't mean their teachings are true.

What makes a teaching true is whether it aligns with the transformative grace of Jesus Christ on the cross. That is the very definition, the plumb line, the spirit level of truth.

Everything else is a barefaced lie, no matter where it came from.

So, Christian, don't let yourself be confused.

Romans 3:4 (NIV)

[4] Let God be true, and every human being a liar.

(You can find these verses at: https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.3.4.NIV)

After looking at the true Gospel, and how we shouldn't be taken in by lies from other people or even angels, we must finally look at their fate.

Their Fate: A Just Consequence

Galatians 1:6-9 (NIV)

[6] I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— [7] which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. [8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! [9] As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!

(You can find these verses at: https://bible.com/bible/111/gal.1.6-9.NIV)

Our subject here will either shock you or bring you great assurance and encouragement. It could also challenge you to your core if you've been involved in preaching a false Gospel. It's one of those subjects where indifference isn't an option.

Paul states that those who preach a false Gospel, whether human or angel, should be anathema in Greek. "Anathema" means "cursed." We might think of "cursed" as simply experiencing misfortune or illness. But it means much more.

"Anathema" also refers to things that are completely and utterly destroyed for God. There's an equivalent Hebrew term, "Haram," which, like its Arabic counterpart, means things that are banned. But it also means things devoted to God, often through complete destruction.

To grasp the strength of this word, it's used throughout the Old Testament to describe the complete destruction of Canaanite towns and other enemies of Israel (see Numbers 21:3; Deuteronomy 2:34, 3:6; Joshua 2:10, 11:14 and others). In fact, Joshua 11:14 provides a chilling picture:

Joshua 11:14 (NIV)

[14] The Israelites carried off for themselves all the plunder and livestock of these cities, but all the people they put to the sword until they completely destroyed them, not sparing anyone that breathed.

(You can find these verses at: https://bible.com/bible/111/jos.11.14.NIV)

That's jarring, and it should be. Perhaps you're offended by this language, thinking Paul went too far, that he was spiteful or vengeful, and not very Christ-like. Well, think again:

Luke 17:1-2 (NIV)

[1] Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. [2] It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.

(You can find these verses at: https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.17.1-2.NIV)

This teaching isn't just in Luke; it's echoed in Matthew 18:6 and Mark 9:42. So, we must be deadly serious here. We must not be misunderstood. Both Paul and Jesus speak of severe punishments for those who cause others to fall away from the Gospel. And they are perfectly just and right to do so.

Why? Imagine a group of people trapped in a burning building. There's only one fire escape, but some scoundrel won't let anyone through without a bribe. If they can't pay, they're left to burn. How would you react? Wouldn't you be incandescent with righteous rage? Of course you would! And you'd be perfectly justified!

Biblical Christianity teaches there's only one way to be saved:

Acts 4:12 (NIV)

[12] Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

(You can find these verses at: https://bible.com/bible/111/act.4.12.NIV)

Given what Jesus endured on the cross for us, it would be absurd if there were another, easier, cheaper way to be saved. Such a thing would render the cross meaningless and a total waste. So, if there's only one way to be saved—through the transformative grace of the cross—then those who place obstacles in the path of people finding it are actively preventing them from being saved. This explains Jesus' furious accusation against the teachers of the Law:

Matthew 23:13 (NIV)

[13] “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.

(You can find these verses at: https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.23.13.NIV)

This is precisely what these false teachers are doing. So why should God tolerate it? Why should He put up with it? Why should He let it go unpunished? Where would the justice be in that? Where would the righteousness be?

This is a very sober text. For some, it's a cause of joyful celebration. After all, false teachers are everywhere, and it's wonderful to know that God is aware and won't let it stand. For others, it should be a clear warning that what they are doing is absolutely wrong. We can never set up obstacles to the Gospel. Who God chooses to save is His affair, not ours. If we are actively impeding people seeking salvation, we should be ashamed and repent immediately, before further damage is done.

So, what can we say? The punishment for even daring to preach another "Gospel" than the Gospel of transformative grace through Jesus Christ alone is severe. And it should be. But it should also be a source of great joy that God will not be mocked. He sees. He knows. And one day, He will judge.

Conclusion: Knowing the Real from the Fake

Galatians 1:6-10 (NIV)

[6] I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— [7] which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. [8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! [9] As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! [10] Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

(You can find these verses at: https://bible.com/bible/111/gal.1.6-10.NIV)

In recent years, Thames Water in England has faced heavy criticism and massive fines, despite paying their shareholders and executives millions. The reason? They've been releasing raw, untreated sewage into rivers and streams. Their explanation—overflowing treatment tanks during heavy rain—hasn't helped. The River Thames, vital for recreation, has become deeply unhealthy. Rowers in the famous Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race have even needed treatment for stomach issues. People are rightly furious. How dare a company paying millions to its investors pollute a key waterway and fail to fix the problem? We understand their anger entirely.

Yet, across the world, millions of rogue churches, cults, and preachers try to pollute the Water of Life. They do their best to make the Gospel foul-smelling and unpalatable, often for financial gain. They don't care if people follow Jesus; their aim is for people to follow them. This should frustrate and anger us. It is absolutely wrong.

These verses from Galatians have a threefold impact:

1. They help us identify the genuine Gospel. The Genuine Gospel is one of salvation by grace through faith; of being saved by God's work, not our work (though it transforms us to do good works); of transformative grace, expressed by the love shown on the cross where Jesus died and the grave He conquered. Anything else is a fake or a lie. We recognize true teachers of God's Word when they preach this Gospel. Their denominational affiliation means nothing, nor do commendation letters or prestigious diplomas (2 Corinthians 3:1). What matters are the truths they teach.

2. We see that if a human being or even an angel teaches something contrary to this Gospel, they will face justice for their perversion.

3. This justice will come from God Himself.

   
   

It's also worth noting that Paul isn't just angry with the false teachers. He's also angry at those who believed them (Galatians 1:6, 2:1).

Why such anger? Because across the Aegean Sea, in Berea, there was a church that did precisely what the Galatians failed to do:

Acts 17:11 (NIV)

[11] Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

(You can find these verses at: https://bible.com/bible/111/act.17.11.NIV)

Remember, the Bereans were scrutinizing Paul himself, a giant of the Early Church! But in Galatia, some opportunistic Jewish teachers were setting unnecessary conditions for salvation and offering false assurance, and the Galatians not only permitted it but believed them. Paul had taught them the real thing, and they allowed themselves to be hoodwinked by clear fakes.

This short passage teaches us three core truths:

• First, the real Gospel is laid out plainly and simply: It is the Gospel of the grace of Christ. Nothing more, nothing less.

• Second, the fakes are exposed. It doesn't matter where they came from; if they are not the Gospel of the grace of Christ, then they are fakes. End of argument.

• Third, the Galatians' mistake is clear. They turned from the Gospel to the fake. What they should have done is turn away from the fake to the Gospel.

There are too many fakes nowadays: too many wolves in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15); too many devils dressed as angels of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). How do we tell the difference?

If they preach the Gospel of transformative grace; the Gospel where we are saved by God's work, not our work, but for good works; if they preach salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, then they are genuine. If they preach that we have to do something—anything—other than repent and believe the true Gospel, then they are a fake.

We must make sure we know the difference. We must make sure the Gospel we believe in is real. And we must share the real Gospel with all who need to hear it. That's how the truth drowns out the lie.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, there are so many voices preaching lies that it's easy to be confused. Help me, I pray, to know the real Gospel, to believe it, and to teach it to others. Thank You that You will one day rid the world of false preachers. I only want to live for the Truth. Amen.

Questions for Reflection

• Why do you think Paul starts this section by stating the Gospel message? Why is that so important? What is the Gospel message?

• How is it possible that even a heavenly being like an angel could be wrong about the Gospel?

• What will be the end for false teachers? Why is it important for us to know this?