The Sunday of Confession (CL)

Galatians 1:1-10

1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— ² and all the brothers who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, ⁴ who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, ⁵ to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

⁶ I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— ⁷ not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble 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 the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. ⁹ As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

¹⁰ For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

There are many people in the world who are not called but yet preach. They do not preach the Word of God, but their own word. They preach their own philosophies. These people do not preach the only true Gospel, but they preach many and various ways to heaven.

St Paul points out that he was called not by men or the reason of men, but he was made an Apostle through Jesus Christ the one true Way to everlasting life. He recounts to the Galatians his frustrations that they have deserted God and His Gospel. "If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one we preach to you, let him be accursed."

There should be no greater example for people today, than these words of St Paul, to understand why Christians can not say all religions are equal. Likewise, there should be no Christian to say that all denominations are equal. St Paul tells us there is one true Gospel which is proclaimed and if anyone does not preach that Gospel let him be accursed.

St Paul recognizes that there are many people who trouble Christians and distort the Truth of Jesus Christ. These people must be pointed out as false teachers. Many people, even we will learn St Peter, fall into false teaching but just as St Peter can be restored to the truth so can all who fall into false teaching.

Jesus Christ has still died for these sins. He has died so that we do not have to tie a millstone around our neck and be thrown into the sea. It is not about what we do, but the Gospel which St Paul preaches is about what Christ has done for us. He even reminds them right off the bat, "who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from [evil]." Jesus Christ was crucified for the forgiveness of our sins. It is not about us accepting it, but the Holy Spirit revealing this grace to each of us through the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.