Thursday – Letters

Reading – Galatians 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“Those false teachers are so eager to win your favor, but their intentions are not good. They are trying to shut you off from me so that you will pay attention only to them.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul’s letter to the Galatians was aimed at correcting the legalistic teaching of another teacher who had led many away from the true Gospel.

The new Christians of Galatia were easily led astray by eloquent teaching.

They no doubt thought they were learning to grow deeper in their faith.

Instead, the were leaving the Good News of Jesus behind.

So how do we know when someone is truly teaching the Gospel?

Eloquent preaching using Scripture is a favorite tool of those whom I’ve heard called modern-day Gnostics.

I use that term to refer to those who think they have exclusive knowledge that is essential to be in right standing with God.

In that description is the way to distinguish them.

Those who claim to have the only exclusive accurate interpretation of the Bible – don’t.

If the attention is on them and their unique message, they match Paul’s description in today’s highlight verse. They crave your attention.

When you study the Bible, I urge you to use multiple reputable sources (commentaries, Hebrew and Greek dictionaries, and concordances) to understand it.

I dare say that none of us will be 100 percent correct in our interpretations of the Bible but we can cling to the essentials of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus alone.

Those who claim that you need to believe their unique interpretations to be saved are likely lost themselves.

Have you ever been led astray by a unique teaching? How did you figure out the truth?
What do you do to make sure what you are being taught is accurate?