The Mystery of Loyalty

Paul’s instruction to the Galatians has two parts: (1) his composed greeting (1:1-5) and (2) his stern reproof (1:6-9). Movement is not progress. Spiritual progress is experienced only in its relation to Divine truth. Seeking completion by the flesh was contrary to the truth to which they had given assent. He introduced the redemptive work of Christ which at first was so precious to them, but it was now pushed to the back of their thinking which gave room for the exaltation of the flesh.

Now we can see why Paul said to the churches of Galatia, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen” (Gal. 1:3-5 NASB). This present evil age lies in the power of the evil one—Satan (I John 5:19). Christians are thankful for deliverance from the curse under which this evil age lies, from the character it forms, and from the destruction to which it is doomed.

Seeking completion by the flesh was contrary to the gospel of God’s grace in Christ to which the Galatians had given assent. Therefore, Paul said, “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different [heteros] gospel; which is really not another [allos]; only there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ” (Gal. 1:6, 7 NASB). There are two adjectives that must be observed in these two verses. The first is the adjective heteros which means “another of a different kind.” Therefore, it denotes a qualitative difference. Paul calls it a “different” (heteros) gospel which is not “another” (allos, meaning one of the same kind), denoting simply distinction of individuals. We are constantly being faced with heterodoxy, a word which is made up of heteros and doxa, which means opinion. Therefore, heterodoxy is a heretical opinion. It is false doctrine. The Biblical fact is simply stated when one says that the sinner cannot see, hear, believe, or do anything of a spiritual nature. Therefore, grace must be given to the “passive” sinner before he can hear, see, believe, or do anything of a spiritual nature.

Paul brings his introduction to a close by saying, “But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8, 9 NASB).

The Greek word for “accursed” is the noun anathema, and it is followed by a present active imperative (esto, a command) of eime, “let him be.” It can be translated “deserving to be cursed.” Paul was more vehement condemning false doctrine than he was the false living of believers. The completed work of Christ cannot be supplemented by human works. In other words, Christ’s righteousness cannot be supplemented by man’s righteousness. Listen to no man who claims to have a direct revelation from God in this age, because the Bible is complete (Deut. 4:2; Jude 3; Rev. 22:18, 19).

In Galatians 1:15-17, we find that the gospel is to be revealed to us objectively, in us subjectively, and through us reflectively. Furthermore, we must distinguish between objective and subjective revelations: (1) Both proceed from God—but one is in a general way, and the other is by special grace. (2) They are different in the means by which they are wrought—one is by outward things, and the other is by the internal agency of the Holy Spirit. (3) The subjects of the revelations are different—one reaches the head, and the other reaches the heart. (4) They are different in their natures and essential properties—one is dark and confusing, and the other is clear and distinct. (5) They are different in their continuance—that which is revealed “to man” may be lost (II Pet. 2:20, 21), but that which is revealed “in man” is permanent.

There is an unusual tone of severity in this Epistle. Never was there a man more willing to bear with weak brethren than Paul, but never was there a person more determined to oppose and expose false brethren than Paul. However, it all comes down to one central fact. No one can be a Christian without being a controversialist. The cross separates either from God or to God.

Paul rebuked Peter for his inconsistent conduct (Gal. 2:11-21). Many preachers and assembly members claim they believe in free grace, but their actions are not in harmony with what they profess. The following are some examples of this:
1. A person is told to give Jesus his heart. That would be a foolish thing. The Lord would not want this sinful heart. Every person is a sinner. Jeremiah 17:9 says that the heart is an evil thing.
2. Someone is told to open the door of his heart and let Jesus in. A sinner cannot open the door when he is dead spiritually. This is a misunderstanding of the passage in Revelation 3:20. Christ is talking to the assembly, to saved people.
3. A person may have been taught that Christ could sin. If Jesus Christ could sin, He needed a Savior. If one believes that Christ could sin, he does not know what grace is about.
4. There are those who believe that Christ could be tempted because of Hebrews 4:15. This is the result of a bad translation. The word “tempted” should be translated “tried.” Those who believe that He could be tempted should be asked, “Is Jesus Christ God?” John 1:1 and 14 say that He is. Therefore, can God be tempted? Read James 1:13-16. God cannot be tempted, and He does not tempt any man to sin. Those who believe that Christ could be tempted do not understand grace.
5. Is baptism essential to salvation? The person who thinks that it is does not understand grace. They base this on Acts 2:38 and 22:16. They misunderstand because they do not understand the correct translation of the Greek prepositions that are used.
6. Is a sinner active in the new birth? The average person will say that he is. If he is spiritually dead, he cannot be active. A sinner is passive in regeneration and has nothing to do with his salvation. Regeneration is different from conversion.
7. Can the names of children be written in the Book of Life when the parents have had them baptized? No, no more than the children can have their names removed when they get older.
8. Since both Paul and Peter were in the body of Christ, was Paul wrong when he rebuked Peter? No. Remember that Peter blundered in Matthew 16:22, and the Lord rebuked him. Paul was inspired of God to say what he did to Peter.
9. Read Luke 8:13. The person who only believed for a while was not really saved. A lost person is not elected by his faith.

It is never advantageous to correct in secret an error which injured openly. Paul said to Timothy, “Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also may be fearful of sinning” (I Tim. 5:20 NASB). Paul said, “But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like the Jews?” (Gal. 2:11-14 NASB). Peter learned the hard way that when you compromise with one party, you will soon have all the parties against you.

Newborn Christians, like newborn babies, go through growing stages before they become adults. According to I John 2:13 and the verses following, all Christians are divided into three classifications: little children (babies), young men, and fathers. Compromising is a “no-no” when it comes to any Biblical principle, regardless of what the newly converted spiritual babies have been subjected to in their past. Take a look at Paul’s past religious life in the area of circumcision. Read Philippians 3:1-21 and Romans 2:17-29.

Paul was not out of order in his rebuke of Peter. Peter’s hypocritical action is stated in Paul’s own words when he said, “But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy” (Gal. 2:11-13 NASB). Peter’s example divided the assembly between the Jews and the Gentiles. It is interesting to the ministers of God today to observe how God used both Paul and Peter. Paul, the rebuker, has been used to give us fourteen of the New Testament books. Peter, the rebuked, was used to give us two books.

Both Paul and Peter were Christians. However, Paul was right, and Peter was wrong. Paul was not only right, but he was inspired to do what he did. Peter, who was frequently getting his foot in his mouth, did not deny his hypocrisy. It was another lesson for him to learn before he strengthened his brothers (I and II Peter).

The true gospel must be distinguished from a false gospel. There is only one gospel. However, many names are required to explain it to finite man: (1) The gospel is of God (Rom. 1:1) because He is the source. (2) The gospel is of Jesus Christ (II Thess. 1:8) because He is its subject. (3) The gospel is of grace (Acts 20:24) because it discloses God’s unmerited favor. (4) The gospel is of salvation (Eph. 1:13) because that is its design. (5) The gospel is of peace (Eph. 6:15) because it reveals the protection and equipment for warfare. (6) The gospel is of the kingdom (Matt. 4:23) because that is its perfection. (7) The gospel is of Paul (Rom. 16:25) because it was committed to his trust.

A pure hypothesis, a proposition assumed as a premise for a conclusion, is given by Paul in Galatians 1:8—“But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (NASB). One who brings such a message must be considered as one devoted to destruction. This has reference to spiritual evil. A change in mood is seen in Galatians 1:9—“As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed” (NASB). A fact that had occurred and was occurring at the time Paul wrote this Epistle is stated. The plural pronoun “we” refers to Paul’s colleagues in the proclamation of the one true gospel.

Paul established the authority of the gospel that he was called to preach. That same gospel has been committed to Christians in the Holy Scriptures. The apostle was so assured of the authenticity of his gospel that he pronounced a curse on anyone proclaiming another gospel. Another gospel is to be understood in only one sense. It is an attempt to pervert the one true gospel.

A counterfeit dollar depicts the deficiency of an imitation gospel because it is lacking in quality. “Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ” (I Pet. 1:18, 19 NASB). A genuine silver dollar is worth 100 cents; whereas, a counterfeit one is lacking in value. The imitation is worth less than nothing because it was designed to deceive. A reprobate’s judgment will be great because of his deception. When evening had come, Christ was reclining with the disciples. He said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me. And being deeply grieved, they each one began to say to Him, Surely not I, Lord? And He answered and said, He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me. The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born” (Matt. 26:21-24 NASB).

There is only one true gospel, and it is the gospel of God’s grace which is revealed to the elect objectively and subjectively in time. Therefore, the life of this eternal grace “has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death [See The Death of Death in the Death of Christ by John Owen.], and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (II Tim. 1:9, 10 NASB). This gospel of grace “did not come to you [the elect] in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. For they themselves report about us what kind of reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come” (I Thess. 1:5-10 NASB). THIS MESSAGE IS WORTH DYING FOR. ARE YOU WILLING TO DIE FOR IT?