Paul the Apostle states in Galatians 1:6, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel." What Paul referred to here as "another gospel" was the danger of adding human works (specifically keeping of the Jewish Law) to the finished work of Christ.
If we find ourselves dealing with Christians who lack maturity, our attitude should be the same as Paul in Philippians 3:15,16, where he councils the readers to simply act in accordance with what they do know, and God will give them greater light. If we find ourselves dealing with personality conflicts, we should follow the advice given in Philippians 4:2 where fellow believers are exhorted to be like minded (the fact that these 2 sisters are told to be like minded without corrective teaching being given leads us to conclude this was a conflict of personality and not a conflict of doctrine). But what if someone is preaching another gospel; one that combines human works with Christ's works? What should our attitude be in this case? Should we wait until these people are given greater light? Should we "bury the hatchet" and join with them in happy fellowship? Scripture gives us the answer in Galatians 1:8,9, which says, "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. 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."
These seem like very harsh words don't they? As Christians, are we not to be gentle, forgiving, forbearing and accepting of one another? Absolutely! But in the message of the Gospel, there can be no compromise. There are at least 3 reasons why there can be no compromise on the message of the Gospel. First, the Gospel is the core of Christianity, and when it is changed, the change will affect everything else. Secondly, if another Gospel is preached, men and women cannot be saved. Finally, and most significantly, to preach another gospel is an affront to the perfect work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
First, the Gospel is at the core of Christianity. Change the essence of the Gospel and you change the essence of Christianity. Add the requirement of human works to the Gospel and it no longer becomes the Gospel of grace. It no longer becomes a free gift. The redeemed man is no longer eternally secure. Eternal life is no longer eternal if Law keeping keeps us. It is a fearful thing to preach another gospel because it is a fearful thing to attack the very core of the Christian faith.
Secondly, if another gospel is preached, men and women cannot be saved. At it's heart, the Christian faith is about abandoning your own attempts to save yourself and accepting the finished work of Christ. If we preach another gospel, a gospel by which men and women, boys and girls cannot be saved, we do an unspeakably vile thing. We condemn people to a lost eternity because we preach a false faith that cannot save. It is a fearful thing to preach another gospel because it is a fearful thing to encourage others to trust a message that cannot save.
Yes, these are fearful consequences of preaching a different gospel. And yet there is another consequence that eclipses the others in its importance. The third reason why it is a fearful thing to preach another gospel is that it is an affront to the perfect work of the Lord Jesus Christ. With dignified simplicity and brutal clarity, the agony of the Saviour on the cross is portrayed in Psalm 22:14-17, "I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me." To preach another gospel, to add our works as an additional requirement for salvation is to state that this suffering by the Saviour was not good enough. To even imply such a thing is wicked. Psalm 29:2 says, "Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." To preach another gospel is to imply that the Lord Jesus's holiness and merit was insufficient to accomplish our salvation
Surely we can see that it is a most serious matter to preach another gospel, especially a gospel that adds works as a condition for salvation. No wonder Paul said, "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. 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." If someone comes to us and is preaching another gospel, there is no room for a gentle, forgiving, forbearing and accepting attitude. Paul did not have such an attitude toward these people and neither should we. I must acknowledge that the tone of this little paper is much stronger than anything else I have ever written, but it is my conviction obtained from Scripture, that there can be no compromise in the Gospel message we believe and preach.
Shawn Abigail
All Scripture quotations from the King James Version.. This tract may be reprinted and distributed for non-profit purposes.