Desertion, Confusion, Perversion or Conversion- part 2

The Apostle Paul was shocked and astonished by just how quickly some in the church were perverting the faith. (v. 7b) Perversion is causing one to turn aside from what is good, true, or morally right: corrupt. What Paul seems to be upset about is – some in the church were turning to another gospel. Here it appears to be one of works, though Paul never taught this, some were leaning towards another gospel, and any other gospel other than the gospel of Christ is false. That is the specific meaning here. There is only one gospel or good news. This speaks of quantity as well as quality. Any other gospel is evil. Any message that places conditions on our acceptance by God other than His grace alone is an evil and false message. When we base our acceptance by God on anything other than His grace in Christ Jesus it is another gospel. When we establish our security in any other message, philosophy, religion, tradition, or teaching other than God’s message of security in Christ’s shed blood, we are living a lie! Unfortunately, there were some in the Galatian church who were perverting the gospel…living the way they wanted and trying to manipulate the Word of God to present an appearance of godliness, while denying the true transforming power of a Holy God. There may have been some complexity to these teachings, for the IVP commentary explains that in the context of the entire letter there were various perversions –“Preoccupation with racial identity…religious observance, and ceremonial rituals were robbing them of their experience of God’s grace in Christ.” Please don’t miss those remarks, “preoccupation with racial identity.” I have seen this several times over the years. Someone becomes preoccupied with racial identity and it becomes almost an obsession. Eventually they begin to teach the necessity of racial identity in our worship of God. However, this only further divides the Body of Christ. We are taught, “Not to think of our selves more highly than we ought.” (Ro 12:3) When we are preoccupied with racial identity either by thrusting our particular ethnicity or culture to the forefront or preoccupied with religious observances and ceremonial rituals, we have perverted the gospel…plain and simple. Therefore, the pursuit of spirituality, by their design, actually was leading them farther away from God. IVP goes on to say, “The Galatian tragedy is a warning for us that not every quest for spirituality is in reality a quest for God. The emphasis in our day on ‘spirituality’ and ‘spiritual formation’ may be a way of finding God. But it may also be a way of running and hiding from God. When we are enticed by provocative books on New Age spirituality, we must remember that the Galatian Christians were trapped by a message that promised spiritual perfection but turned them away from God.” The final picture some in the Galatian church presented was – a genuine conversion. Paul mentions a very specific event – the calling “by the grace of Christ.” This phrase speaks of a selection or choosing. Wuests says, “It refers to the act of calling someone so that he may hear, come, and do that which is incumbent (imposed as a duty :obligation) upon him.” In the NT it’s designated meaning refers to a “call from God to participate in the revelation of grace.” When we are called, it is always in the sphere of grace – it is never in any other manner. In other words, it can never be any other possible means than the mercy and grace of God, which we hear or experience the message of grace and forgiveness in Christ Jesus. It can never be how pitiful we appear (even though we are pitiful); not how sorry we are (though our sins have offended God’s holiness); nor can it ever be how sincere we are (for our hearts are deceitful above all things and beyond cure). It is purely the rich mercy and unending grace of God exerted in a manner that influences the human heart to repent of their sins. You see, when we enter the sphere of grace in Christ, we have entered a realm that focuses all attention on the cross. Our sins are brought to mind and we are given the opportunity to leave them at the cross and receive God’s forgiveness and the transforming power of new life in Jesus! (Titus 3:5) As we close, I want to lay out what the Bible teaches concerning conversion (not exhaustive). True conversion is a turning to God in repentance, faith, and obedience by those who do not know Him. True conversion is the turning from sin and an inner renewal, which can only be brought about by God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Conversion is turning to God – (1 Kings 8:58; Eze 36:26-27) Conversion is turning from *idolatry – * The worship or adoration of anyone or anything other than the Lord God. (Acts 14:15; 1 Thes 1:9-10) Conversion is turning from sinful ways – (2 Kings 17:13-14; Jer 18:11) Conversion is turning away from unbelief to faith – ( Acts 3:19; Eze 14:6; Acts 11:21) Conversion is new life – (2 Cor 5:17; Ro 12:2; 2 Cor 3:18; Gal 6:14-15) Conversion is symbolized in baptism – ( Ro 6:3-4; Col 2:12; 3:1-3) Conversion is a new lifestyle – (Gal 5:22-24; Eph 4:1; 5:8-11) Conversion is a new status – (Gal 4:7; 3:26-29; 1 Pe 2:9-10) “Salvation isn’t what liberals or conservatives in this country think it is. It’s about getting my life straight. It’s not about ultimate significance. Salvation is about an adventure that was made possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, through which I am made part of a community who will tell me who I am. You are not free to make up your life as a Christian. Your life is not like a gift; your life is a gift. That is a very important grammatical point. Until you learn to receive your life gift, you are lost. And people are lost.” Stanley Hauerwas “It’s about getting my life straight…”