How to know the authentic gospel: Gal. 1:1-10

We live in a world of choices, so much so that we are spoilt for choices. Just go to a cafe and you’ll understand what I mean — there’s plenty of choices but a simple cup of coffee isn’t one of them. You are lost in a list of lattes and cappuccinnos. In this amalgamation of plenty originality is lost.

An analogy between coffee and the Gospel may seem far-fetched but it ain’t. We live in a world with plenty of Gospels and Theologies, so much so that the original seems lost.

It’s not a new problem, Paul seems to face it as well. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul talks about a ‘different’ gospel (Galatians 1:1–10). He is astonished by the impact of this gospel. The Galatians seem to be deserting the old and flocking to this new gospel which Paul describes as a non-gospel.

The root of the problem can be traced to the source. Unlike the Gospel preached by Paul, this new gospel is a human construct. Paul describes its effect as disturbing and its message as a distortion. He even condemns the preachers to hell, yes it’s that serious!

We humans have a knack for picking up good things/ideas and distort it for our selfish desires. Flying like a bird was a dream for the Wright Bros., but soon this dream took a nightmarish turn — the use of aircrafts for bombing. We humans are masters of distortion, we have done the same to the Gospel as well.

Today, we seek gospel as per our liking and taste. We have the choices as well from prosperity gospel to poverty gospel and everything else in between. What’s the point of all this if it ain’t the original?

What kind of a gospel you believe, is it the one you can swallow, is it according to your taste and appetite? If yes, then let me assure you this gospel won’t stretch your faith neither will it help you grow in Christ.

Getting rid of the rough edges isn’t comfortable neither is it welcome despite its necessity. The feel-good gospels we see around are like rubbing the rough edges of our soul with a linen cloth. To really get it done we need the unadulterated gospel — it may be rough as a sandpaper but it’s the real deal.

We will look into this distorted gospel in the coming days but for now let’s reflect — What’s the gospel you believe in? Do you look for comfort and choice in matters of faith as well? May the Lord help us reflect and submit our will to His will. Amen.

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