gal1

Sent by Jeff Wallace in response to a comment by Nichole posted at Comments on symbols

"The Bible is full of scriptures that make it clear that there is One God, One Savior, One Salvation, One Faith, One true Word of God. Since God decided to save us by sending his Son to die for us (Galatians 1:4), we simply must take Him at His Word.

We are not to look to all kinds of other avenues to reach Him. If other faiths could save, then Christ died in vain (Paul also cites this in another scripture).

Since, we know from scripture that there is One God, One Salvation, etc, (as previously stated), we actually hurt others by not honestly telling them this TRUTH. If we give them the impression that any old way is okay with God, then we mislead them and perhaps even play a role in condemning them to a false hope. It’s a little like being a parent, you can be real cozy and easy with your kids, and make them immediately feel good about their bad choices, or you can be lovingly firm, and guide them correctly toward better choices that in the long run help them.

Throughout history, many believers were hated and persecuted by pagans because they told the TRUTH about God and refused to compromise their faith (Daniel, Paul, John the Baptist, Jesus his self actually, Joseph, etc…..the list is long). As a result of their courageous and truthful stances demonstrated God's victory and spread His message to all who were open to God’s Spirit and Truth.

For those that simply are unwilling to accept God’s truth, no doubt then, as now, they were offended and went on with eyes closed and hearts untouched.

It is important that Nicole hopefully understands that it is the desire of God and I believe every true Christian, that everyone would accept God’s gospel message of salvation through faith in Christ.

Galatians Chapter 1

1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
2 and all the brethren which are with me.
Unto the churches of Galatia:
3 Grace be to you, and peace, from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

There Is No Other Gospel
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 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.
9 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.
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Paul's Ministry of the True Gospel
11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: Acts 8.3 ; 22.4, 5 ; 26.9-11
14 and profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. Acts 22.3
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
16 to reveal his Son in me, Acts 9.3-6 ; 22.6-10 ; 26.13-18 that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
17 neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem Acts 9.26-30 to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.
20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
21 Afterward I came into the regions of Syria and Cili'cia;
22 and was unknown by face unto the churches of Judea which were in Christ:
23 but they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
24 And they glorified God in me.