Gal 1:6-7 TLB
I am amazed that you are turning away so soon from God who, in his love and mercy, invited you to share the eternal life he gives through Christ; you are already following a different “way to heaven,” which really doesn’t go to heaven at all.
Rebellion lies deep in the heart of man. The desire to go contrary to God has always been in and with man since Adam. It seems man will not be man if he does not rebel. He rebels not of himself but his obedience to the master deceiver leads him to go contrary to the God of love and all kindness.
Paul was quick and firm in rebuking the straying Galatian Christians who had received the true gospel from the apostle’s lips. The heart of the Gospel, Christ Jesus and him crucified, had been evidently portrayed before them by Word and deeds. The testimony of Christ’s death because of man’s sins, His burial and resurrection had been clearly received and understood by these loved ones. The gifts of Christ, by grace, through the Holy Spirit had been manifested by them. Yet, the thought of pleasing God and being approved by Him by grace alone was not enough.
Some brethren who called themselves Apostles came to sow ‘tares’ among these saints. Perhaps these so called apostles were more eloquent and convincing in speech just as we have them today. They persuaded the simple hearts of the brethren to believe that there is ‘another way to Heaven’. They preached that grace alone was not sufficient to save a person. They suggested that there were other things that must be added to make their salvation complete.
Let us note that by embracing another gospel one is actually rejecting Christ. The Apostles said, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel.” One cannot hold a faith contrary to the gospel of grace and hold the faith of our Lord at the same time. If a person embraces this other way to Heaven, he actually has deserted Christ. Christ’s way of leading people to Heaven is through faith in His blood, used for the cleansing of our sins. Anything added to this is another gospel and it is not the gospel of grace.
Today, the gospel we have in many quarters is similar to what these false brethren preached to the Galatians. We are being taught that Heaven is not possible unless certain works are done. So many are confused today about how to be admitted to Heaven because of the false gospels that have become prevalent among us. Visions of Heaven by some brethren and the reports of what they saw in Heaven and hell have misled many who are easily swayed by the words of men because they do not trust the Word of God. These visioners have made the grace of Christ of no value and have elevated merit on the basis of works.
Let us consider two examples of what these visioners have stated as conditions for admission to Heaven. They said, “Those who did not pay tithes didn’t enter Heaven; also those who wear ear rings.’ You may be paying tithe but if you wear earrings you are still disqualified. You may not wear earrings but if you don’t pay tithes you will not be allowed in. If you do the two yes Heaven is sure. But where in the Gospel of Grace and of Christ are these found?
The gospel that Paul preached simply states that: Jesus Christ did it all. All that was necessary for the salvation of man was paid for on his behalf by Christ. All he needed to do is to put his trust in Christ Jesus and hold that faith (conviction and confession) to the end. This is the grace that saves and the faith by which it is actualized. Unless we hold this faith there is no real hope of entering Heaven. There is no other way to Heaven than that carved for us by the blood of Jesus. It is through Him and Him alone that we have confidence of a resting place in God’s eternal abode.
The grace of God may appear too simplistic; that is the foolishness that damns the wise in this world. Those who think it cannot be that easy would want to add something of themselves to assure their fleshly hearts that they have merited entrance to Heaven. Oh! how they will be surprised when they are turned away at the gate never to see those pearly gates again.
The road to heaven is not in how difficult we make it based on personal or Church understanding. It is the narrow road of faith in the foolishness of saving the lost by the gospel of grace alone. This is the road that not so many people find because they prefer to add something to the completed work of Christ presented to us on a platter of grace. They have widened the road of faith by adding of their own desires and imaginations and have not only destroyed their own faith but the faith of many who follow in their stead.
The faith that was delivered to us is clear and simple; ‘That Jesus Christ died for our sins on the cross, was buried and raised from the dead. That He is now seated at the right hand of God until He returns at the appointed time to judge the dead and the living. That those who believe in Him will not be condemned but will have everlasting life and those who do not believe are condemned already.’ This is the gospel that saves and leads to Heaven. Any other is another way… that does not at all lead to Heaven.