Understanding Paul’s Message in Simple Terms
Have you ever heard something that sounds right but deep down feels a little off? That’s exactly what was happening in the early Christian churches of Galatia, and it’s why the Apostle Paul wrote them a heartfelt letter warning them about what he called a “false gospel.” Let’s break this down in an easy way that makes sense for us today.
What Was Paul Talking About?
Paul wrote to the Galatians because he was shocked. He said, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel” (Galatians 1:6). In other words, he was surprised and upset that they were moving away from the simple, life-giving message of Jesus.
When Paul first introduced them to the gospel, he taught that salvation—being made right with God—comes through faith in Jesus. It’s not something we can earn by following a bunch of rules or traditions. But after Paul left, some other people came in and started teaching something different. They said the Galatians needed to follow old Jewish laws, like circumcision and dietary rules, to truly be saved. This was a major problem because it twisted the gospel into something it was never meant to be.
What Is the “True” Gospel?
The true gospel is the good news about Jesus. It’s about God’s grace—His free, undeserved love for us. Jesus died and rose again to save us, and all we need to do is trust in Him. Paul’s message was clear: You don’t need to earn God’s love. It’s a gift. It’s freeing, not burdensome. It’s for everyone, no matter who you are or where you come from.
What Was the “False” Gospel?
The false gospel, on the other hand, was a distorted version of this good news. The people pushing it (often called Judaizers) said that faith in Jesus wasn’t enough—you also had to follow Jewish laws and traditions. This made salvation more about human effort than God’s grace. It put unnecessary pressure on people and shifted the focus away from what Jesus had already done for them.
Paul called this out because it wasn’t just a small misunderstanding. It was a big deal. Adding anything to the gospel takes away from the power and simplicity of what Jesus accomplished.
Why Was Paul So Serious?
Paul didn’t mince words. He said that anyone preaching a different gospel should be cursed (Galatians 1:8-9). Why so harsh? Because this wasn’t just a theological debate—it was about the foundation of faith. If people started believing they had to earn their way to God, they’d miss out on the freedom Jesus came to give. And that’s not something Paul was willing to compromise on.
What Can We Learn from This Today?
Even though Paul wrote this letter almost 2,000 years ago, his warning is still relevant. Today, we might not have people telling us to follow Jewish laws, but there are still plenty of “false gospels” out there. These could be messages that say you need to be perfect, follow certain rules, or do specific things to earn God’s approval. It could even be the idea that material success or popularity is a sign of God’s favor.
Paul’s message to us is the same as it was to the Galatians: Don’t be fooled. The gospel is about grace. It’s about what Jesus has done, not what we can do.
How Can We Stay on Track?
Here are a few simple ways to guard against false teachings and stay anchored in the true gospel:
· Know the Bible: Spend time reading and understanding God’s Word. The more you know the truth, the easier it is to spot a lie.
· Pray for Discernment: Ask God to give you wisdom and help you recognize teachings that don’t align with His message.
· Seek Community: Surround yourself with people who are committed to following Jesus and can encourage you in your faith.
· Focus on Grace: Remember that your relationship with God is based on His love and grace, not your performance.
Living in Freedom
At the heart of Paul’s message is freedom. He reminds us that “those whom the Lord sets free are free indeed.” The gospel of Jesus Christ isn’t about being burdened by rules or traditions—it’s about living in the joy and freedom of knowing you’re loved and accepted by God.
Let’s hold on to that truth, share it with others, and live as people who are truly free. After all, the real gospel is not just good news—it’s the best news!
Blessings,
Minister A. Francine Green
afrancinegreen.com 