Gospel Robbers
“This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.” – Galatians 2:4-5
“This is the key to the Christian life: faith in Christ- not just the Christ who died on the cross for you, but the Christ who live in you…This is Christianity: believing Christ to be everything you need for every moment you live.” – David Platt
“Living under the law brings bondage in the sense that it does not free people from the slavery of sin. Grace brings freedom, for it does not depend on human beings for righteousness. Therefore, we are freed from depending on what we do as the basis of salvation. We look to Christ alone for his redeeming work.” – Thomas R. Schreiner
The gospel of grace can be robbed if it is perverted. The primary way that the gospel was being robbed by the false teachers at Jerusalem and then in Galatia was to say that the grace extended to us in the person and work of Jesus is not entirely sufficient. That more must be done to experience the fullness of salvation. That more in the book of Galatians is to keep the OT laws, including circumcision. Thus, when these false teachers (sneaky spies, see v4) encountered Titus, a Gentile who had come to experience the saving work of Jesus, they immediately had a ‘to do’ list for him. And so it is with legalists to this day. Not that the list is the same but, there is a list. You aren’t saved unless you… or don’t… You have probably encountered the type. You might even be the type. The whole gospel is in question though if, Jesus’ death and resurrection, wasn’t or isn’t enough to save you. Thus Paul’s refusal to give way to these false believers even for a second. Granted, Paul did have Timothy circumcised before they did church planting work together (see Acts 16:1-3). So the issue wasn’t the action, it was that the action was to be meritorious for salvation. That’s when the action became contra-indicated for Paul. He would not let the truth of the gospel be marred by legalism.
There is another side to this coin, one which arises often in our day, Christian Universalism or even just universalism itself. Simply put, it’s the idea that a loving God will redeem and save all souls, regardless of their belief or behavior. It’s the sort of idea that is formally advocated for in books like, Love Wins by Rob Bell. Others soft pedal the sinfulness of sin but would say they are not Universalists, someone like Joel Osteen comes to mind. But, the truth of the gospel is on the line here too. If sin is not that sinful, then Christ died for nothing. If God will save everyone no matter what their creed or behavior, then Christ died for nothing.
Our work, and it has never been popular work, is to point people to the truth of the gospel. To tell them that there is no way to earn favor with God so legalism or a religious system won’t win you God’s favor. To tell them that sin, while universal is no less damnable now than it ever was. And that sinners will not be pardoned by a loving God simply on the notion that God wouldn’t condemn anyone. No all have sinned. All fall short of God’s glory. All deserve the wrath of God and His eternal punishment. BUT CHRIST died for us. BUT Christ rose from the grave. So there is grace. There is salvation. And it is found only in this Jesus and comes only by the message of His gospel. We are not justified by what we do. We are also not justified by doing nothing and hoping for the best. We are justified by Jesus Christ alone. On this our confidence must rest and grow- Christ died and was raised to life for my rescue. I am crucified with Him and the life I now live is His life in me. Anything less puts me in league with gospel robbers and that is company I can’t afford to keep.
Questions for Application/discussion:
· Are you more likely to rob the gospel via legalism or universalism? What are ways to correct that tendency?
· How can you guard the gospel in a conversation with a legalist? A universalist?
Blog bonus:
Here’s a great song to sing as you mediate on the idea of justification: My Worth Is Not In What I Own