Deadly Spiritual Danger for a World Distorting the Truth of Jesus How? ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba %

Paul wrote a passionate, heartful letter to the churches in Galatia. Although filled with the same theological truths, this one was quite different in character from all his others. The depth of concern for the potential deadly spiritual danger their churches were facing was evident in this letter. There were many in the world distorting the truth of Jesus and the gospel he preached. The same is true today. Therefore, this letter we must take with the same heartfelt concern as did Paul. It was the book of Galatians that finally freed Martin Luther from the chains of legalism which tormented his soul. Galatians was the foundation for the reformation he led. It gave him the courage. For what? To stand firm in the gospel truth that salvation and sanctification are the full work of Jesus Christ.

There is no room for any man or woman to justly believe they play any role in their salvation. This marvelous gracious gift is from God Himself. GRACE-God’s Righteousness At Christ’s Expense. It is a gift from God to all who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. However, during the time of Paul’s ministry there were many “Judaizers”. They would follow Paul’s ministry for the purpose of going into these churches once he left. Once there, these Judaizers taught that before one could be saved, one must be circumcised and keep the Jewish laws. Although he speaks of this in his other letters, he speaks most harshly to the Galatia churches. Most likely because there was evidence that this was being adopted heartily.

But Was This a Deadly Spiritual Danger for the World? If so, why?

So, let’s begin with this letter of Paul.

Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: Galatians 1:1-2

Note that Paul begins by affirming his appointment as an apostle. Jesus Christ and God the Father, not men, directly appointed him. Those wanting to discredit Paul’s teaching would point out that he had not been a follower of Jesus Christ. At least not during the time he walked on this earth prior to Christ’s crucifixion. If anything, they would further point out that Paul had persecuted the church before his “conversion”. Hence, they placed doubt in his teachings. Furthermore, they tried to convince them he could not know the truth of the gospel message of Christ. Why? Paul was not trained in Jerusalem post salvation. Thereby questioning the legitimacy of his apostleship.

Paul added to the absolute identity of the one who called him. How? By adding God, the Father who raised him from the dead. That takes us back to what he wrote in the salutation to the Romans.

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead Romans 1:1-4

This same Jesus. The one proven to be the very Son of God with power. How? According to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. He, it was who called Paul to be an apostle to teach the gospel message.

The Salutation Includes the Truth of the Jesus and His Gospel Message

Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 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: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Galatians 1: 3-5

Every Pauline letter begins with grace and peace. Most include these same words from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ. We only have peace with God due to the grace he has given us. Not because of any work we have done. In this letter he goes on to say why we may have grace and peace. It is because our Lord Jesus Christ gave himself for our sins to deliver us from this present evil world. This according to the will of God who is our Father by adoption. All who accept Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior are adopted into the family of God. We are, therefore, sons and daughters of God Almighty, joint heirs with Jesus Christ, His Son. As such, our salvation is eternally secure.

With no Further Ado, Paul jumps in

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1: 6-7

The letters of Paul, apart from this one, generally greets the churches with some degree of praise for their faith. Even the ones he is writing to add some correction to their theology. However, this time, he jumps right in. Here in Mexico. Whenever emailing, texting, or speaking it is considered rude not to begin with all the formalities and niceties. Unlike we in the states who tend to jump right into our conversation. I cannot tell you how often I need to apologize for being a “gringa” because of that very reason. Well for Paul to jump right in meant he felt they were in some deadly spiritual danger. Otherwise, he would have presented some other formalities before this.

When you look at this verse in Greek, the two words translated another are different. The word for “another (heteros) gospel, which is not another (allos) can be defined distinctly.

2087 héteros – another (of a different kind). 2087 /héteros (“another but distinct in kind”) stands in contrast to 243 /állos (“another of the same kind”).¹ _{HELPS Word-studies at Bible Hub.com; https://biblehub.com/greek/2087.htm, accessed 2/7/2026}

The amplified version writes it this way

I am astonished and extremely irritated that you are so quickly shifting your allegiance and deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different [even contrary] gospel;which is really not another [gospel]; but there are [obviously] some [people masquerading as teachers] who are disturbing and confusing you [with a misleading, counterfeit teaching] and want to distort the gospel of Christ [twisting it into something which it absolutely is not]. Galatians 1:6-7 AMP

In other words, they had accepted a counterfeit gospel. One that depended on works in addition to what Christ had done. Anything that adds in works, diminishes the truth of grace and makes room for self-righteousness. That then leaves grave danger, both to failing to grow as a Christian. As well, as leaves room for counterfeit Christians. Counterfeit Christianity is a deadly spiritual danger to a world who wants to be works based or merit-based. This kind of faith makes up all the false religious systems of the world.

Deadly Spiritual Danger to a World Distorting the Truth of Jesus and His Gospel

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. 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. Galatians 1:8-9

Theodore H. Epp wrote:

To declare that works or law such as circumcision or baptism are necessary for salvation is to proclaim the most deadly heresy that can possibly be taught. How dare we be so bold in making this statement? For the simple reason that the Holy Spirit says it through Paul in the Book of Galatians: “If any man preach any other gospel…let him be accursed (anathema—doomed to perdition)” Gal. 1:9). To add anything to faith for salvation is to destroy the very foundation of Christianity. Eternal life is given to an individual on the basis of faith only.² _{2 Epp, Theodore H.; Flesh and Spirit in Conflict, Practical Studies in Galatians, Back to the Bible Publication; Lincoln, NE; © 1968, pg 22}

Muhammad proclaimed somewhere around 620 AD to have been visited by Gabriel and given the first words of the Quran. That is the beginning of Islam. Joseph Smith in 1820 reported having visions from God telling him all denominations were wrong . He report he was lead to find golden plates which once translated lead to the book of Mormon.

The Seventh Day Adventist Church began when William Miller. He was a baptist preacher who felt he had calculated the exact day of the return of Christ. Looking for his imminent return on October 22, 1844, the day came and went. Guess he never read where Christ said, Even, He does not know the day of the rapture. (Matthew 24:36). The movement began to die until Ellen G. White began proclaiming she had visions. In these visions she said she spoke with an angel. She proclaimed he led her to guide the floundering church. Her visions instructed them to worship on Saturdays, perform dietary changes to match with Old Testament law, and other rituals.

This does not even come close to explaining all the other churches who teach that one may lose their salvation. We are saved by grace, but kept by works? Then there are those that deny the Holy Spirit that indwells every believer. He comes and goes depending on your faithfulness. There are the prosperity gospel proponents, the ones who believe all are saved—regardless of beliefs, and on the list goes. But Paul was clear, if anyone preaches another gospel let him be doomed to perdition.

If the World is facing Deadly Spiritual Danger—What do we do?

We study scripture exegetically. That is critical interpretation, allowing only scripture to explain scripture. Our salvation and our sanctification are only through Christ’s completed work on the cross. Then how do I live this Christian life? We are to be a living sacrifice daily, remembering that the power of sin over us died on the cross. We died, were buried, and live again anew as new creatures with the power of the Holy Spirit within us. Our part is to surrender, knowing He is the one who can guide our lives. We are under a new law—the law of Christ.

Again, a quote from Theodore H. Epp explains this clearly.

“the Christian is under a new law known as the “law of Christ:” “To them that are without law… (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,)”I Cor. 9:21. Included in this truth of the law of christ is the fact that the Holy Spirit strives to form Christ in each believer. This Paul tells us in Galatians 4:19: “My little children, of whom I am again suffering birth pangs until Christ is completely and permanently form (molded) in you” (AMP). The outworking of Christ’s life which is in us is the result of our obedience to the desires of the Spirit. It is God who works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. This is why we are admonished to follow after the Spirit, and when we do, we will not fulfill the desires of the flesh. We see from this, then that the liberty we have in Christ is not a liberty to sin. There is no license to sin the the grace of God.³ _{Epp, Theodore H.; Flesh and Spirit in Conflict, Practical Studies in Galatians, Back to the Bible Publication; Lincoln, NE; © 1968, pg 23}

To believe any other Gospel, places the World in Deadly Spiritual Danger

For us to preach any other gospel than Salvation through Christ Alone, by Grace Alone, through Faith Alone; we risk leading so many astray. Even if it is not popular, we must stand on the truth of the word. Only there is power both to live now and eternally. It is only through His power. Whenever I try to do it on my own, I fail. I had been taught so much that “my works mattered”. Hence, it was very late in my life that I began to learn to trust God. Even with my works. Am I sinless now? No. But I sin less now. Why? I rest in Him to transform me rather than to work so hard to please Him. Pride always got in the way when I got it right. Or at least thought I did. Then I would plummet and fall.

Expectations have changed also. When I thought I was “working hard for Him”, I expected rewards. I know I deserve nothing. Additionally, I know any good thing that I do is by His Grace alone. Well, I am content with whatever He provides. The obstacles He places in my way, I know are steppingstones to His making me more like Jesus.

Galatians was the book that transformed Martin Luther’s life and led to the Great Reformation. Hopefully our study through it will lead to your great reformation as well.

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Please note: This Post only has quotes from the KJV Bible except where otherwise indicated

¹ J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

English Standard Version (ESV)

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