...and ultimately why we fight for the gospel.
"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." -Galations 1:6-10 (ESV)
As I was reading these verses this morning, a few things struck me. First, verse 8 rang home. We have the extremely hard privilege of holding high the gospel of Christ, but in a day and age (like any other) where Biblical ideas such as 'original sin' and 'hell' and 'God is love' are thrown aside or greatly cheapened, we cannot back down on our stance to uphold the gospel. Paul says "even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed." That's some mighty strong language. But it also means we should be more firmly planted in the Word of God than in the teachings of our most revered pastor, or scholar.
Second, in verse 10 Paul asks us twice if we are trying to please men. Repetition is key to driving home a point and this question is so challenging he asks it twice. Then, he writes, "If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." It's like Paul gets you to realize that in some, if not many, areas of your life, you esteem man higher than you esteem God. Only to then make another extremely strong statement, challenging you to realize that, in Christ, your new identity defines you.
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