The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Galatians 1:6-10, “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him, who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;

7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed.

9 As we have said before, so I say again now, If any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”

The Galatians were by origin a wild and woolly bunch! Their history belies the very belief that enabled their activity to seem normal. To them, it did seem normal, but not to the Apostle Paul! Nevertheless, he dealt with them in somewhat the same rough manner. That got their attention!

It’s a shame, but that is precisely how we often have to approach those who view the Gospel with less dignity than it deserves. At the same time, we must always be on guard that we don’t inadvertently fall into the same trap with those whose theology we are seeking to straighten.

Styles of ministry vary. That’s normal. Biblical truth, however, does not vary from speaker to speaker! The church where I have membership has several pastors. None of them displays an identical pulpit style, yet each of them believes and advocates the same truth. To do otherwise would greatly confuse and divide the congregation.

We must always be extremely careful how we (and others!) relate Holy Scripture. Paul was not angry at the Galatians; but he was stern. There is a difference; and we must be careful, even as we lovingly caution others.

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need, until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom