"6 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-
7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of CHRIST.
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.
9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of GOD? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of CHRIST."
The acceptance of false religions has become, not only the norm, but more the accepted in recent years. "ASTONISHED" is the word used by the English Standard Version to describe the Apostle Paul's feelings of disbelief over the church at Galatia's turning to a different gospel. Other translations use the words 'amazed', 'surprised', 'marvel' and 'shocked' in describing the Galatians rapid swaying in their faith.
There is a commentary I use frequently when studying the BIBLE. For Galatians 1:6 it offers the following, "Those who would establish any other way to heaven than what the gospel of CHRIST reveals, will find themselves WRETCHEDLY MISTAKEN." Further down, around verse nine, it says "The apostle solemnly denounces, as accursed, every one who attempts to lay so false a foundation. All other gospels than that of the grace of CHRIST, whether more flattering to self-righteous pride, or more favourable to worldly lusts, are DEVICES OF SATAN!"
Genesis 3:1 says "Now the serpent was MORE CRAFTY THAN ANY OTHER BEAST of the field that the LORD GOD had made." In 2 Corinthians 11:4 we are told "And no wonder, for even satan disguises himself as an angel of light." While the Apostle Paul was "ASTONISHED" by the church at Galatia being swayed by the enemy and his schemes, the Bible is clear that others can, and will, be fooled by his deception! The trickery and deception will only intensify as the end of time gets closer!
As we near the end of the Bible age, the enemy will use every disguise and scheme in his evilness to draw spirits into destruction with him. JESUS said in John 6:44 "No one can come to me unless the FATHER WHO SENT ME draws him". Will you be one of those who selects to have your Spirit spend eternity with the SPIRIT of the CREATOR? Or will you be "ASTONISHED" when at the Judgement Seat you receive your rewards for your choices in this life? PLEASE, PLEASE don't be taken in by a serpent more crafty than any other beast.
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