The title of this piece is a contradiction. It contradicts itself because the word gospel means good news. If it is a gospel, it is by definition ‘the good news’. But, when Paul wrote to the Galatians, he spoke of a gospel that was not ‘good’.
Listen to his scathing words in Galatians 1.
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by 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 one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 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 him be eternally condemned!
What was this perversion of the gospel? Does it still threaten Christians today? Based on Paul’s statements in Galatians, he was astonished that the Christians were attempting to earn their righteousness before God. In chapter 2, he writes, 16 We know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified. In chapter 5, he says, 2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
I grew up believing in a gospel of ‘works’. I believed that my right-standing with God (righteousness) depended upon my ‘doing good’ (doing right). I based my standing with God upon my performance. Going to church all the time, not saying bad words, trying not to think bad thoughts (lust) were things I used to measure if I was ‘good enough’ to be accepted by God.
Finally, I understood the gospel and was set free from my conception of ‘earning’ my righteous status before God. I came to realize that God looked at me ‘through the blood of Jesus’ and counted me as righteous because of what Jesus did for me. Now that is really GOOD NEWS!!! If Christianity for you is a life of earning your righteousness (if you are constantly keeping score—my good deeds vs. my bad deeds), you have badly misunderstood the gospel. That is not good news. It is a perversion. Jesus died and rose to set you free.
Prayer: Our Father, thank you for the true gospel that gives us freedom. Thank you for allowing Jesus to purchase our salvation. Help us to live worthy of Your grace and the forgiveness that is ours in Christ.
Terry Brown
Abilene, Texas
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