Devotion 

The True Gospel

Frances Taylor 

We have come to the last Sunday before Lent and we are presented with an unusual reading from the letter of Paul to the Galatians.

One of the biggest distortions I have heard is that only some can be saved. Jesus is clear that he came to save all. Whether all will have eternal life with him is another question for another day, but since salvation is a gift, not something to be earned, to say that some cannot be saved doesn't ring true. Paul answered this question in many of his letters as does John in his. Luke's gospel in his prologue gives us the guide we need to judge if what we are being told is true to the gospel. Sometimes it seems daunting to read a gospel straight through, but it's the best way to get a feel for what the evangelist is trying to say.

This is important because another way the gospel message can be perverted is to quote it out of context. Almost anything can be proved if you take things out of context! When my first child was born, I wanted to know everything I could about how to raise a child. I consulted several different "baby books" to see what I should be doing. What did I find? Let the baby cry, don't let the baby cry. Feed the baby when he's hungry, feed the baby on a schedule. Don't use physical punishment, no problem with physical punishment. You get the picture. Scripture out of context is the same. If you really want to know the true gospel, read it, study it, reflect upon it. Don't be led astray.

Prayer 

Lord, I love your Word. Keep me true to your gospel and not be led astray by those who would pervert it. Amen.