False Teachings

The unfortunate fact that some people misuse the teaching of the Bible is nothing new.  Today as in the days of the Apostle Paul there were those misusing the Scripture to teach salvation by human achievements rather than by divine accomplishment.  In other words they teach a religion of salvation by works rather than salvation by grace.  

In Galatians 6: 12-16 Paul dealt with some who were leading people astray by teaching works salvation.

Paul warns the Galatian believers that there are two reasons people do this: 

1.  Galatians 6:12—They do not want to suffer the persecution that comes when we teach of the Scriptures that salvation in only in Jesus Christ and not by anything we can do.  Acts 4:12, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

 2.  In Galatians 6:13—They want to boast in what the flesh can do.  Man naturally wants to think he can do something to save himself.  So, many “systems” of religion have grown up around people teaching people what they can do to earn or merit salvation.  

In Galatians 6:14 Paul tells the Galatians and us that in contrast to these false teachers, he is not going to boast in anything except the cross of Jesus Christ.  Paul, of all people, could have boasted in his religious works and accomplishments.  But, since he came to understand and accept what Jesus did on the cross, he knew that all his efforts at pleasing God were “rubbish” (Philippians 3:8).  

Then in Galatians 6: 14-16 Paul gives three reasons for boasting in the cross of Jesus Christ:

1.  Galatians 6: 14b—By the crucifixion of Jesus the world has been crucified (put to death) to me and I to the world.  Thus I am no longer controlled by the world’s thinking and ways.  I am set free from the god of the world, the devil.

2.  Galatians 6:15—None of the efforts of my flesh avail anything when it comes to pleasing God, but in Christ Jesus I am a new creation.  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”   II Corinthians 5:17

3.  Galatians 6:16—As many as walk according to the “canon” (standard) of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, have the peace of God and the mercy of God upon them.    

If you find yourself in a church that is teaching anything other than salvation by grace apart from anything we can do, you need to seek out a church that is true to the Bible teaching on this matter.