On the night of January 13, 2012, the luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia struck a reef off the coast of an island in Italy, resulting in a catastrophic shipwreck that claimed 32 lives. Mediterranean shipwrecks are nothing new, but what caused this tragedy to stand out was the discovery of the captain’s actions. He had deviated from the planned course to perform a near-shore “salute” to impress both the ship’s passengers and the well-wishing local onlookers. His unauthorized maneuver and abandonment of duties led the massive vessel dangerously close to the coastline, causing it to inevitably collide with underwater rocks.
The Apostle Paul observed a similar abandonment taking place in the churches around Galatia. Though not out to sea, the believers were departing from the Gospel in favor of a “different Gospel,” which was not merely a variation but a distortion that threatened the very foundation of their faith. Paul’s urgent exhortation at the beginning of Galatians is an alarm, signaling the spiritual disaster that befalls those who depart from the simplicity and power of grace alone.
Rather than begin with a word of encouragement, gratitude, or prayer (as was his consistent custom), Paul begins his letter with a rebuke:
“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—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ” (Gal 1:6–7, ESV).
The word for “astonished” in verse 6 is often used when Jesus performed a miracle and the crowds were amazed or marveled. It conveys the idea of sheer wonder and surprise. The word for “turning” is a military term used for revolt. The Galatian Christians were revolting against the gospel, staging a coup against the grace of God! That simply astonished Paul! It seems that the church in this region was quickly deserting God in favor of something else—something more attractive to them. Here, in the first century, Paul’s astonishment was that they were turning to another Gospel. Why would they do this?
If Paul were to look at the modern church today, what would he likewise be astonished by? Some people turn to another Gospel because the true Gospel is foolish to them, and they want something complex or elegant. Others turn to flashy, false gospels because the cross is offensive to them, and they want something more attractive. But I believe people turn to other gospels because, in our flesh, that is our default mode.
Walter Marshall explains this:
“By nature, you are completely addicted to a legal method of salvation. Even after you become a Christian by believing the Gospel, your heart is still addicted to salvation by works. In your heart, you still want to make the duties of the law come before the comforts of the Gospel. You find it hard to believe that you should get any blessing before you work for it. This is the mindset you tend to fall into: You sincerely do want to obey the laws of God. Therefore, to make sure you obey the law of God, you make all of God’s blessings depend upon how well you keep his law. Just keep in mind, however, that if you go this route, you will never enjoy your salvation for as long as you live in this world” (The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification, 1692).
If you cannot say amen, at least say ouch! Paul says, “I’m astonished that you would start a revolution and move into another gospel.” However, do not miss verse 7:
“Not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.”
Paul demands: there is not another Gospel! Someone infiltrated the churches in Galatia, preaching “a different” gospel, but there is not actually another one. This intruding “good news” was a distortion, a phony. Something that looks like a $100 bill but is not a $100 bill is not a different Benjamin; it is a counterfeit one.
There are many false, different gospels today:
● The Prosperity Gospel: Teaching that God guarantees financial wealth, health, and success if you have enough faith or give enough money, this “gospel” distorts biblical suffering and God’s sovereignty.
● The Moralistic Gospel: Emphasizing good behavior, kindness, and self-improvement over faith in Christ, this “gospel” defines Christianity more around being a “good person,” rather than sin, grace, and redemption.
● The Universalist Gospel: Claiming that everyone will be saved in the end, this “gospel” denies the necessity of faith in Christ and repentance from sin.
● The Progressive Gospel: Redefining sin, truth, and biblical authority to fit modern culture, this “gospel” often downplays God’s holiness, sovereignty, and judgment.
● The Self-Help Gospel: Focusing on self-improvement, self-love, and personal happiness rather than dying to self and following Christ, this “gospel” is often marked by personal achievements, fitness regimens, protein diets, and impressive lists, but not submission to a Triune God.
● The Political Gospel: Elevating political ideology (whether left or right) to the level of Gospel truth, this “gospel” elevates nationalism, social justice, or political activism as though they were the primary purposes of Christ’s kingdom.
Paul’s warning is clear: any message that distorts, adds to, or takes away from the Gospel of grace is no Gospel at all.
In his commentary on Galatians, Warren Wiersbe points out:
“They were perverting the Gospel of God. The Judaizers claimed to be preaching ‘the Gospel,’ but there cannot be two gospels, one centered in works and the other centered in grace … Like the cultists today, the Judaizers would say, ‘We believe in Jesus Christ—but we have something wonderful to add to what you already believe.’ As if any man could ‘add’ something better to the grace of God!” (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible Exposition Commentary Vol. 1, p. 684. Victor Books.)
A few years ago, a man was flying on an airplane for the first time. During the flight, he stood up to use the lavatory, but when he tried to open the door, it would not budge. Thinking something was wrong, he began forcing it open. Meanwhile, nearby passengers started panicking. Some screamed, others tackled him, and a few wrestled him to the ground. The flight attendants quickly intervened, scolding him and ordering him back to his seat. When the plane landed, he was detained and questioned. What was the issue? Was he trying to use the bathroom improperly? Not exactly! The unsuspecting newbie had mistaken the lavatory door for the emergency exit. Although he managed to unlock it, he was thankfully unsuccessful in opening it mid-flight!
The passengers were not overreacting, and neither was Paul! Lives were at stake because the truth of eternity was at stake. There is another Gospel that promotes legalism and is works-based, and we cannot stand idly by, hoping it does not interfere with us. We must act decisively, and unashamedly, because apart from God’s grace, there is no hope for our salvation.
As we consider what happens when grace is forsaken, we have a few important ways to respond:
1. We must reject any distorted gospel as no gospel at all. Which of those false gospels above are you most prone to foolishly accepting as truth? Anything that seeks to add to the finished work of Christ on our behalf is a counterfeit, a scam. Do not fall for the clickbait; do not answer the text that is clearly out to sabotage you! As Paul would warn, even if the most trusted person came to you, urging you to trust in works alongside the work of Christ, reject them!
2. We must receive the truth of the Gospel, daily. When is the last time you truly marveled at the power of the cross and resurrection, at what Christ accomplished for you, and wept and thanked God for his indescribable gift? What is a removable hindrance to the Gospel in your life? Maybe it is your schedule, your pride, your confidence in your wealth, or your selfishness—but what is something that is clearly hindering you from receiving the truth of the Gospel daily?
3. We must replace self with Christ as the center of our worship. Hanging in an art gallery in the city of Berlin is a very unusual art piece by the artist Menzies, called The Unfinished Painting. The artist had begun this work of art, portraying the King and his generals, but it took such a long time for him to get the painting underway that he actually died before finishing. The picture displays the details of the generals all gathered around the king. The details of the background, color, and precision are captivating. However, at the very center of the picture, where the king should stand, there is only a great void, a gaping absence where the main character is missing. Could it be that, with all our activities, prayers, and efforts to do things for God, we look just like the generals in the painting? A flurry of color, movement, and detail, yet where Jesus ought to be at the center, there is only an empty space? Or worse still, a portrait of ourselves?
Christian brother or sister, any Gospel that does not have Christ at the center (and Christ alone for that matter) is no gospel. It is a saboteur. It is a rogue captain on a collision course that can and will shipwreck your faith. May we be vigilant to plunder legalism and live audaciously free lives under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave Himself for us!
In our next article, we will dive into Galatians 3 to discover how grace is given to sons, not slaves.
