Galatians 1:1-24
Gospel means good news. There is only one gospel, the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ, "who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." Galatians 1:4, 5.
The test of the gospel is the grace of God. Our eternal salvation is a gift, freely given by the Lord to the undeserving who believe in Him. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2:8, 9.
When the apostle Paul preached the good news to the Galatians, the message was well received. The people had welcomed the apostle as God's messenger, even as Christ Jesus. See Galatians 4:14. But after Paul left, some preachers came who questioned Paul's apostleship and preached another gospel. They preached circumcision and obedience to the law of Moses as conditions of salvation. An unexpected apostasy was the result. Paul wrote, "I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel." They turned from the Lord and His grace, to a so-called gospel of works.
This other gospel was a perversion, a distortion of the truth. Today it has come to us in various forms. At times it denies who Jesus is, usually a rejection of His deity. Jesus is declared to be an angel or a prophet or a teacher, or something else. An unachievable legalistic requirement is always added as a condition of salvation. No one is ever "good enough" to merit eternal life. "Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified (declared righteous) in His sight...." Romans 3:20. No one can be saved by good works.
Of course, there are those who believe that everybody will go to heaven. If they don't enter the pearly gates when they die, the hope is offered they will eventually wind up there after they have suffered for their sins in purgatory. Paul didn't believe this. He had some strong words for anyone who preached another gospel. "Let him be accursed." He says this twice in two verses. See Galatians 1:8, 9. Those who believe another gospel will share the same end as the bearers of bad news. They will also be accursed. Paul had a specific word to those who had turned away. "You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace." Galatians 5:4.
By grace you are saved! Now that's good news! There is no other gospel!
Lord, You are the way, the truth, and the life. We turned to You for life, and You have saved us by Your grace. How else could it be? Thank You for the priceless gift of salvation. In Jesus' name. Amen!