ON DISTORTING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

December 7
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ON DISTORTING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST
6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel, 7 which is not just another account; but there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, even now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!
10 For am I now seeking the favor of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
Galatians 1::6-10
________________________________________The word gospel literally means “good news.” A commentary says that Paul meant, “There is no ‘good news’ in this message. It is only bad news, so it really isn’t a ‘different good news.’ It is bad news. The New King James Version translation is much better at this place, because it makes a distinction between different and another, accurately reflecting the difference between two distinct ancient Greek words used. Different has the idea of “another of different kind” and another has the idea of “another of the same kind.” It is as if Paul wrote, “They brought you a completely different gospel. They claim it is just an alternative gospel of the same kind, but it isn’t at all. It is all together different.”
In verse 7, Martin Luther says “Note the resourcefulness of the devil. Heretics do not advertise their errors. Murderers, adulterers, thieves disguise themselves. So, the devil masquerades all these devices and activities. He puts on white to make himself look like an angel of light.”
To distort the gospel means to use the same words or idea, but cunningly twist it. This is much more wicked, because it seems like it is true yet, it is actually a lie. Lies comes from the evil one. In verses 8-9, Paul warns them of the consequence of twisting the gospel of Christ. He also reminds them of their responsibility as a believer to ensure that they don’t receive such false teachings, for they too will be accursed. In verse 10, he tells the Galatians that to be a servant of God, you cannot continue to please humans.
In our current days, we see so many Christians believe lies that come from false teachings which results from going the different path. They are deceived to think they are going to heaven when they are actually going to hell.
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REFLECTION
• How can a true believer recognize false teachings and false teachers?

December 7
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ON DISTORTING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST
6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel, 7 which is not just another account; but there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, even now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!
10 For am I now seeking the favor of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
Galatians 1::6-10
________________________________________The word gospel literally means “good news.” A commentary says that Paul meant, “There is no ‘good news’ in this message. It is only bad news, so it really isn’t a ‘different good news.’ It is bad news. The New King James Version translation is much better at this place, because it makes a distinction between different and another, accurately reflecting the difference between two distinct ancient Greek words used. Different has the idea of “another of different kind” and another has the idea of “another of the same kind.” It is as if Paul wrote, “They brought you a completely different gospel. They claim it is just an alternative gospel of the same kind, but it isn’t at all. It is all together different.”
In verse 7, Martin Luther says “Note the resourcefulness of the devil. Heretics do not advertise their errors. Murderers, adulterers, thieves disguise themselves. So, the devil masquerades all these devices and activities. He puts on white to make himself look like an angel of light.”
To distort the gospel means to use the same words or idea, but cunningly twist it. This is much more wicked, because it seems like it is true yet, it is actually a lie. Lies comes from the evil one. In verses 8-9, Paul warns them of the consequence of twisting the gospel of Christ. He also reminds them of their responsibility as a believer to ensure that they don’t receive such false teachings, for they too will be accursed. In verse 10, he tells the Galatians that to be a servant of God, you cannot continue to please humans.
In our current days, we see so many Christians believe lies that come from false teachings which results from going the different path. They are deceived to think they are going to heaven when they are actually going to hell.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How can a true believer recognize false teachings and false teachers?

PROOF OF LOVE Poem Devotional

December 31
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All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me.
– John 14:23-24(NLT)
PROOF OF LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you love Jesus Christ with all your heart
You will prove it by obeying his truth in your life
It will manifest in actions not just words that you utter
You show love by obeying Christ and loving your brother.
All who love Jesus will follow what he says
They look up to his promises and continually pray
Anyone who doesn’t love the Lord will not obey
They will be defeated because they do not really care.
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When someone claims they love another person, one of the best proof of this claim is obedience. Between parents and children, we know that those who obey what we say as parents actually shows that they love us. Between lovers, obeying and respecting what the other person believes or requests is a manifestation that they love each other. The bible tells us that Jesus sets the standard for true love to all his people. Obedience is his pre-requisite for proof of love. Following what he says harvests the fruits of the spirit such as joy, love, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. Those who do not love Jesus will be disobedient and rebellious.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to always be devoted to you by obeying your commands.
REFLECTION
How can you overcome man’s natural bent to disobedience?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com