Dare We Depart

Is there a food that you swore you would never like that has become something you enjoy? I know that there are lots of opinions about onions in this room. Someone close to me grew up swearing they would never eat onions, only to realize that when you cook them a certain way, they can be tasty. I’m not sure what that food is to you, but I’m guessing that, in a room like this, our taste buds have adjusted over the years.

For the next few weeks, we’re going to do some work to align our lives with the Gospel message. And, as we get into this message, I’ve recently been struck by how easily I might depart from what I know to be true. While I would hope that none of us in this room would depart from the Gospel, the reality is that we can sometimes be carried away. All of this plays out in the book of Galatians.

The reality there that helped me see this was how Peter, who just 17-18 years earlier had boldly preached the Gospel at Pentecost and been influential in bringing the Gospel to those who weren’t Jews, could be carried away from that very message. We’ll dig into Peter’s reality next week. Today, though, we’re going to consider what is going on in the book of Galatians and what Paul is trying to accomplish in this letter.

On one level, I’d love for you to get a sense of why Paul wrote Galatians. This opening step is important because we don’t want to place ideas above the Bible or insert them where they don’t belong. We begin with what the Bible says—specifically, in this case, what Paul was intending to do in writing this letter. As we understand this, we are better positioned to consider what the Bible says about our lives. I long to have a sense of how books of the Bible emerge from the author’s intent. You could say this is my lifework.

A good way of putting what Paul was up to in writing Galatians would be worded this way: Paul is writing “to correct the emerging alteration of the gospel that was making its way through the network of Galatian churches, instructing and challenging them not to let one single part of the old system of the law alter the purity and power of the gospel by challenging them not to alter the gospel they had received from him one bit, but to hold to it exactly.” Writing about Galatians, many call the issue that drove Paul to write this letter the Galatian problem. What is the big deal? They were deserting the gospel delivered to them by Paul for another gospel—not really another gospel, but a perverted one. I realize this is a mouthful or brainful to consider. But the churches Paul planted (located in modern-day Turkey) are in danger. They had received the Gospel but were considering add-ons. So, Paul writes one of his most passionate letters to remind them of the Gospel he had preached.

We can easily be lured by siren calls beckoning us away from the Gospel to lesser matters. And, my concern, especially as we draw near to Holy Week next week, is that we’d be completely aligned with the Gospel. I don’t believe we are on the cusp of this like the Galatian believers were, but wouldn’t you want to know if you were being pulled away? How might you assess where your life is? How would you align clearly to Jesus alone? These are the types of concerns that will help all of us in the room today. Let’s hear some words from Paul as we get ready to consider this book. I’ll read Galatians 1:6-7, and when I’m done, I’ll say, " This is God’s Word, and you could respond by saying, ‘Thanks be to God,’ if you wish. Listen to what Paul says to these believers…

Let’s dig into this book today, and as we approach Holy Week, let’s ensure we’re completely aligned with the Gospel. As we consider these things today, I’ve put my outline together in the form of 3 questions…

First of all, a question that comes out of that passage we just read is this: 1) Are we adding any requirement to the Gospel? 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel⁠— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. (Galatians 1:6-7)

In the introduction, I tried to summarize the Galatian problem for you, but if you look at vv. 6-7, you can see this problem for yourselves. Paul is shocked. He’s astonished that they were deserting him and the Gospel message he brought them so quickly. They were going after another gospel. And Paul quickly corrects himself. There is no other Gospel given by which we must be saved. But people were bringing other messages to these Galatian believers. This switch to another message isn’t a positive thing: it’s deeply troubling because it distorts the good news of Jesus the Messiah Himself.

Specifically, the problem these churches were facing was alive and well in the early church. The Galatian churches were considering adopting circumcision (the Old Testament way of identifying as God’s people) as part of the requirement for the churches, with some evidently already pursuing it. Others had gone so far as beginning to observe the Jewish “days and months and years.” The keyword that helps us understand what was going on here is there in v.7—in the ESV it says distort, which means “to change, alter, pervert.” If you look at the range of the word, you can hear what is going on: they altered the gospel they had received, and as a result, they actually changed it into something different. 

The reminder for us is clear enough: if we add something to the Gospel, we are distorting, perverting, or changing it. And here’s the deal: the Gospel doesn’t need a Plus-1. You know what a Plus-1 is, right? When you are given a wedding invitation, and they don’t know your status, you may be invited with a Plus-1. Sometimes, we may be tempted to add a Plus-1 to the Gospel message. Like, to really help the Gospel pop, this thing is added on to it. For the Jews, it may have been that cultural identifying marker of circumcision. For us, we may add something subtle to the Gospel, like a way of life, a way of voting, a cultural way of thinking that we’ve adopted. If your Gospel needs an add-on, it’s not powerful enough to deliver the life-change it offers. If it’s Gospel plus something, then our trust is not in the Gospel, it’s in something else. So, we must be careful and consider: Are we adding any requirement to the Gospel? Is Jesus alone enough? That’s one question. 

I hope you’re beginning to recognize how high the stakes are. Paul continues helping us see why this is such a big deal later in the book, in chapter 5. He shows that if we don’t get the Gospel just right, there will be consequences. The questions that relate to this are: 2) Do we find no use in Jesus? Are we splitting off from Him? 2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. 7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case, the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves! (Galatians 5:2-12)

As we read through this passage, I hope you can hear where those questions are coming from. In this section, Paul unpacks the problem. We can clearly see that circumcision is on the table. If circumcision is throwing you, consider whatever cultural marker would identify us. Paul is saying that if we pursue these add-ons, we will set in motion a process that alters the entire gospel—we will be altering the entire system Christ inaugurated in His church and kingdom. Specifically, these middle verses say that if these Galatian believers accommodate these teachers trying to distort them and get circumcised…

1. “The Messiah will be of no use to you” (v.2); “you are split off from the Messiah.” (v.4)

2. “You are under obligation to perform the entire law.” (v.3)

For Paul, this all centers on Christ. He’s the point. Jesus is the Messiah, and in Him we’ve been set free to really live. If we go back to law-keeping, then we are going back to a different system of salvation. Why? Because that is the system. You are either under one system or the other. You would be split off from Christ’s new community! You would be going back to those staying under the old system. You will have "dropped out of grace." So, the consequences are huge. I worded my questions to summarize the text in terms of our relationship with Christ. But you could also ask, are you willing to be cut off from what Christ has saved you INTO? Are you really going to leave the freedom found in Jesus to return to living according to law-keeping? 

This is the challenge for us. When we’re open to Gospel distortions or add-ons, we’re really saying we don’t prize Christ and would be happy to try out other systems of salvation. And, when we consider it from this standpoint, none of us wants to go there, do we? And this concern about the system we’re resting in is where Paul ends in chapter 6.

Notice the final question: 3) Which system are you taking pride in? 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. (Galatians 6:12-16)

As Paul wraps up the book, he returns to the problem one final time. If you get circumcised, you are feeding off those holding on to the old system—probably Jewish believers who are still arguing they are better than the Gentiles. It is an issue of pride: We are the people of God, so you are joining us; we are not all equal in the new community. This pride notion is coming up in all the boasting language. Do you see that in these verses? Again, the words Paul chooses here are so crucial in understanding what he’s saying. In v.16, he speaks of “all who walk by this rule.”

This word “rule” means “a rule of conduct, philosophic principle, rule of community life; a standard.” It is a Greek word transliterated as canon (kanwn): “anything straight to measure other things.” It was the word that was later used for the books, Letters, and Gospel collections—the New Testament canon, the new rule of faith. Anyone who goes after another system for salvation, like getting circumcised, starts down the road that will split him from Christ and His new creation—His new community—and not be part of the kingdom that has just been inaugurated.

To drive this point home even further, let’s skim over some verses where Paul is laying out the Gospel in this book. I have the references in your notes:

For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:11-12) [The Gospel was received by Paul from Christ Himself]

[Jesus does what He does] by hearing with faith⁠— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? 7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. (Galatians 3:6-9) [The Gospel was built on faith – not the Jewish faith or law – it was rooted in the promise to Abraham]

On the contrary, when [I went up to Jerusalem and] the [Apostles] saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles) […I was given the right hand of fellowship] (Galatians 2:7-8). [The Gospel was confirmed by the Apostles.]

The Gospel was received from Christ Himself.

It was built on faith (not the Jewish faith = law)

Rooted in the promise to Abraham

Confirmed by the Apostles

This change in the system was significant. Next week, we’ll get into how difficult this was and how even apostles like Peter had lapses. Today, though, consider which system you take pride in? What is your boast? Are you puffing up your chest because of what Christ has done? Or because you are better than others for some other system?

One writer urges caution for us today. He says, “Attractive gospel messages abound, and many Christians find their identity and purpose by aligning themselves with things like health, diet, gender, materialism, politics, policy, race, financial concerns, their nation, their candidate, etc., with all of this flooding people’s minds every single day” (Vos). I wonder how you’re renewing your mind in Christ. 

Hear me clearly today, I’m not inviting you into some religious system, a hidden set of rules, a deeper Christian life experience, a second blessing, a new way to die to yourself, or whatever else. Even as we’ve spoken and emphasized first principles in recent days, they don’t save you. As the Gospel moves in, the Scriptures say there are elementary principles that inform our lives, but they don’t save—Jesus alone does. I wonder what might allure us away from Jesus Himself. How might we need to return to our first Love today? 

Let’s fully embrace the good news found in Jesus as we press in to know Him and make Him known so that we might glorify and enjoy Him forever.