LOST FROM THE FAITH

B. Mills

All my life, I have found my way by looking at landmarks, streets, trees, buildings, or other fairly stable things. This makes it very difficult for me to tell someone else how to find a certain destination, or even for me to find my way back there after a few years. My ”landmarks” may have been removed or changed. A few months ago, we moved to the apartment where we now live. The complex is composed of four four-storied inter-leading buildings around an enclosed garden. Because each floor and all the passage ways are almost identical, I still occasionally find myself going the opposite direction from my planned destination or using an exit to find the car only to discover that the car is nowhere in sight.

Paul in writing to the churches of Galatia, the letter is meant to be shared, realized that some of them were in danger of wandering from the faith. They had listened to false teachers, and forgotten the truths of the Gospel. They were not keeping in mind the foundation facts that he and others had taught them. Listen to what he says.

Galatians 1:6-10 (King James Version)

6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (2 Corinthians 11:4, Galatians 1:7, Galatians 1:11, Galatians 2:2, Galatians 2:7, Galatians 5:14, 1 Timothy 1:3)

7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (Acts 15:24, Galatians 5:10)

8 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. (2 Corinthians 11:14, Romans 9:3)

9 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. (Acts 18:23, Romans 16:17, Romans 9:3)

10 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. (1 Corinthians 10:33, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, Romans 1:1, Philippians 1:1)

After Paul had converted them, fanatical false teachers had come to the churches and had taught them that they could not be Christians unless they had first become Jews, then accepted Christ and that they must reverence and worship angels. These were converts who came directly from Gentile paganism to become Christians. They knew nothing of these strange doctrines and were confused and in danger of wandering from the faith. We learn from these verses.

First, Paul is shocked that they, so soon, had listened to teachers who taught a new and different gospel that is not taught in the Bible. We should not be surprised at this for this is the same method used to establish religious cults yet today. A cult is formed when men establish a church that puts more emphasis on a man’s teaching than on God’s Word. Such groups gather around a man or woman and listen to them instead of studying the word of God. Because he would encounter such teachers, Paul, in another text cautions Timothy, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

Paul is saying, avoid such teachers, even if you know that they are angels. A third of the angels of heaven followed Satan and became fallen angels. We know them as “demons” and their destination, along with Satan, and those who have been deceived by them, is to be cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 12:7-8, Revelation 12:9, Revelation 20:10)