We want to be the center of attention. We want people to run up and ask for our autograph. We want them to swoon and say, “Oh, you’re so smart. You’re so beautiful. Why can’t I be more like you.
If we’re honest for just a moment, we want to be in charge of our own, personal, private world. Or, to put it another way, we want to be God. We want everyone and everything to make it their life’s work to serve us all the days of our life.
But these people weren’t just moving away from Christ on their own. No, they had people helping them along the way. These people were throwing the Galatians into confusion. And what’s the end result of their working towards confusion?
Perversion. We don’t like this word. It’s not very exciting or modern. After all, it’s just another point of view. Isn’t it? What’s wrong with people believing different things? If we don’t bring in everyone, aren’t we being snobs? If we’re not inclusive, we’ll be labeled as bigoted, prejudice, intolerance. And no one wants a piece of that.
These people were doing everything they could to turn the Galatians around from faith back to works. They were posting false news on the internet. They were blasting out text messages to everyone they knew, trying their hardest to move the Galatians back to where they came from.
The good news about Jesus is not just another idea to be put next to all your existing ideas. It’s not just another card to put into your wallet. It’s not just another website or app you join and then move on.
The good news that God came to earth to rescue us from ourselves, that he paid the eternal price for all we’ve ever done or ever will do, isn’t just something you add to your live.
No, the gospel, the good news will just blowup your life. It will turn it around. It will turn you right-side up. It’s a revolution. It’s a completely different way of life. Different way of looking at life. Different way of thinking.
So don’t be astonished: there is no other good news. It’s Jesus or nothing else.
Noodling Questions
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Describe the last time that God totally overwhelmed and astonished you?
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Where do you see “a different gospel” around you?
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How is God’s good news different from all other religions?
This articled about being astonished at “another gospel” originally appeared here, and is used by permission.
