Galatians 1:6–7 (NLT): I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.

Today is November 11th. In the United States we set this day aside to honor our veterans, and specifically those who served during “The Great War”.

It commemorates November 11, 1918 when an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

This was regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

There was an expectation of global peace and restored humanity. There was good news to be celebrated. Headlines printed across every newspaper declared the war was over. Sons would return. Weapons laid down. Prisoners freed. Communities rebuilt.

The war wouldn’t officially end for 7 more months. But hope reigned.

Earlier that year, in spring of 1918, the Germans were advancing and threatened the entrenched British and French Troops holding the Western Front. Looking into a very bleak and hopeless situation, one Commander issued the order

“Every position must be held to the last man. . . . With our backs to the wall and believing in the justice of our cause, each man must fight to the end.”

Sir Douglas Haig, British Expeditionary Force in Europe

Every man had to stand their ground. Their fight was not over, and their cause was worth defending. Thank God they did and thank God for his mercies.

“The Great War” was the war to end all wars. Sadly, this was not true. Wars continue to rage on. Soldiers and civilians alike have suffered immensely. Nations, Communities, Families, Mothers, Fathers Brothers and Sisters. All have suffered. There has been so much pain. We are thankful for those who have answered the call. Who have fought for others, who have fought for hope. We honor their sacrifice. As a veteran myself, I am proud of my service to the nation and my fellow man.

But in the face of continued worldwide conflict and turmoil, what hope is there? Do not be misled, the wars we see across human history pale in comparison to the greatest war. There is a war occurring since the dawn of man. One rooted in falsehood, deception and subtle confusion. One that is manifest in every man and woman. There is the unseen war.

It’s not very agreeable to discuss religion in terms of warfare. Society would much rather shelf religion into a safe realm of personal experience and in form, mere emotionalism or expressionism. To each their own, as long as it doesn’t impede or interrupt my own. Christians too have fallen short time and time again, and have disregarded their high calling within the Kingdom of God. With such flippant faith we could expect any man or woman to quickly turn away. After all, its just their personal experience.

But what if this isn’t true? What if you were actually called like the brave soldiers who fought against the very present evil powers of WW1. What if you began to see yourself standing in the trenches with your brothers and sisters in arms? Would you stand boldly with your back against the wall, bravely fighting for the justice of our cause, the Gospel?

Our Savior, Jesus, sacrificed himself in this war of flesh and spirit. He progressed the kingdom of God, and thrust the power of light into darkness. Our service, our own sacrifices, are but mirrors of His goodness. There is only one Gospel. He died for us, to offer salvation by grace and grace alone. Will you stand against the attacks of the enemy? Will you help those who are injured and hurting in our present battlefield?

Paul addresses the Churches of Galatia, stating he is shocked they have turned away from God so quickly. Perhaps he felt they would have had more spiritual resilience, or long suffering faith. He is concerned that they would be so quickly deceived, or fooled.

After all, they were called through the loving mercy of Christ Himself!

This is an essential matter. We must never forget that He calls us through loving mercy to himself. I mentioned previously what Paul introduced in the first few verses. He was an apostle, made to be used in Gods magnificent work. The “making” indeed was over years, even years of disobedience. That on the road to Damascus, Jesus met Paul and not only redeemed his entire history, but set him on a new trajectory. He would no longer be at war against Christ, but he would be in war because of Christ. He would face enemies of flesh and blood, in that evil age. He would suffer, and to follow Jesus would mean he had to give himself. Like Christ did for us.

Now, Paul reminds us that we don’t serve God out of compulsory duty, at least not in our normal understanding. Man isn’t forced, or better coerced into service for the Lord in fear, intimidation or by any means other than Jesus’ loving mercy. We pursue Jesus, because He first pursued us. This indeed is the gospel in its clearest sense:

You didn’t deserve it. He freely gave you Jesus, because He loved you.

This really gets under our enemies skin. The evil powers and authorities in this world cringe at the audacity of God who not only dwells with man, but died in His place to offer man eternal life. So what better tactic could the enemies of our salvation employ, then attempting deception? What better tool could our enemies use than a simple confusion, complication or falsehood?

Could we really be that easily fooled? Could we simple begin following another way that is so close to the gospel, yet not the way of the true gospel at all?

In the classic Screwtape Letters, the head tempter advises his young protegee in the devlish work of leading his assigned man to hell through his own direct spiritual attack. He ensures the younger demon that man does not need to become entirely adverse to God, but rather slowly and gradually turned away. CS Lewis writes:

Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.

Screwtape, to his nephew Wormwood

Yes, of course this is fiction. Yet the truth of these words is not. There is but no easier way to hell than the gradual and subtle path. As Paul warn, there are those, even in the church body who deliberately twist the gospel into something it is not. In our current war, our spiritual battle, we must guard the gospel. We must ensure that no one, or thing, perverts Gods grace and mercy into something it is not.

To often the “gospel” is used to manipulate, control and condemn.

To often the “gospel” is used for self-righteousness or licentiousness in pursuit of our desires.

Many of our brothers and sisters have been hurt by those who should have guarded truth. Who were turned, and made to deliberately twist the gospel into falsehood. A false gospel has been exported all around the world. It pretends to be the good news of Jesus. But it is not. Its simply repackaged paganism and elitism. It teaches salvation is for the good doer, the self righteous and the self justified. It teaches that you will be saved by your good works and words. It teaches that if good out weigh your bad, then you have done enough. It teaches that you have a license to sin, to pursue the gratification of your own desires, because after all we have freedom. It teaches that culturally, the bible is dated, and that in our current age we are right to and should indeed modify the message to compliment our experience. This list goes on, and on, and on.

The real gospel must be defended. Truth must be defended.

Jesus, being fully God, humbly came as a man. To live a sinless life. To die a sinners death. To conquer the very power of the curse. The fulfill every yearning and desire. To fulfill every precept of law. To resurrect and overcome the grave. To be the first. Because, Jesus loved us. We didn’t deserve it. We could never earn His grace and mercy! We could never live the sinless life He did!

He resurrected from that grave. There is new life. New power. New Hope.

Yes, we will sin yet. But His grace is enough. We are far from perfection, yet His perfect love will heal, and restore our brokenness.

Don’t turn from the truth. We need to stand for the gospel at all costs. Do not sway to the left or to the right. Do not allow yourself to become fooled. Correct those who twist the gospel, inadvertently or otherwise. Be merciful to them, as they themselves have fallen into the true enemies hands.

If you have been hurt by those who should have acted in the Spirit and Truth of the gospel, do not blame the gospel. If the hypocrites and evil doers in your life have fouled your perspective of the good news, do not so quickly abandon the real message of Christ. Find a faithful congregation, pastor, counselor. If you need help, or if your spiritual journey has been marred to a point of pain or confusion, do not hesitate to contact Good&Well so that we may pray for you, and offer counsel to restore hope in the real gospel.

The is a war for your soul. The true gospel is our main weapon. This is your call to arms, or your call to surrender. But you are called, do not be fooled.

Peace be with you.