Twice Warned - October 8

Read Galatians 1:6-7

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.

Reflect

What “different gospels” have you heard preached recently? How are they dangerous?

Whenever I want to make sure my kids really hear me, I repeat myself. I say it once to get their attention and then when I am sure they are looking at me and listening to me, I repeat what I said. If it is a matter of great importance, I don’t count on the fact that they should have heard me the first time. I repeat it so that they have been warned twice.

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul didn’t count on the fact that they were going to respond the first time he warned them. He said it again to make sure they understood! What he had to say was too important for them to miss. He reiterated that there are some people out there who want to bring trouble by distorting the Gospel.

Like parents watching their kids get involved with the wrong crowd, Paul was watching the Galatians get involved with people who were trying to pervert the Gospel of Christ. These people were twisting the Gospel back into the old Jewish law. These false teachers were called Judaizers. They were Jewish Christians who were trying to convince the Galatians that they should believe in Jesus Christ and follow Jewish laws. For example, most of the Galatians were Greeks, not Jews, and yet, the Judaizers told them they needed to be circumcised in order to be saved. But no one needs to follow laws or perform works to obtain salvation!

Friends, this is the only Gospel that saves and it truly is good news: that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins. On the third day, He rose again. And through faith in Jesus, we can be forgiven and have salvation. Salvation is found in no one else and nothing else (Acts 4:12). It is not Jesus plus works. It is not Jesus plus anything else. It is just Jesus.

If anyone is trying to sell you a different version of the Gospel, run away. Don’t buy it! Jesus died on the cross to forgive your sins faith. Your faith in His work on the cross is sufficient for your salvation. Let me say it again! Jesus died on the cross to forgive your sins and your faith in His work on the cross is sufficient for your salvation.

Respond

Jesus, Your Gospel is the only good news that saves. Thank You for Your work on the cross on my behalf. Help me to remember that faith in You is sufficient for my salvation. Keep me from deserting the truth and perverting Your grace. Amen.

Reveal

We all know what it feels like to be misled—whether it was believing an ad that promised more than it delivered, trusting a rumor that turned out false, or following advice that left us worse off. This week, think of someone you know who might be wrestling with confusion, doubt, or even disappointment because of mixed messages they’ve heard about life, faith, or purpose. Instead of correcting them right away, ask with genuine curiosity, “What’s something you’ve been told recently that sounded good but didn’t really hold up?” Then listen with empathy and, when it feels natural, share one truth that has helped anchor you when life feels uncertain—perhaps the peace you’ve found in knowing God’s grace is steady and unchanging. By entering into their story with compassion and vulnerability, you give them space to see the difference between empty promises and lasting hope.