Galatians 1:8-10

Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.

Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God.

If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

Lets recap briefly, The Apostle Paul writes to the Churches of Galatia, praying expectantly for grace and peace, giving God praise for rescuing us. This “rescuing” was not by any merit of our own. He rescued us, because He loved us. He rescued us from death because He wanted to give us life, specifically His life. This is the gospel. We’re saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, as revealed in Scripture alone, to the glory of God alone.

What is your goal? Do you want the approval of man or God? Do you want to be blessed or cursed?

I firmly believe in what Dr. Heiser has popularized as the unseen realm. As I read scripture I see the unfolding of real history, the history of the cosmic war. Throughout scripture we see the supernatural. This verse in particular has very real implications.

Paul says “Let Gods curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of good news…”

How could this be? How can an angel go against God, or even be cursed? Lest we forget Lucifer himself was nothing more than a created spiritual being who rebelled against God. He also preached a different kind of gospel. He was a liar from the beginning. Although once created pure, Lucifer fell to sin. His rebellion from God was the first fall. With his, a league of spiritual beings. He deceived the daughter Eve, and with Adam, all of humanity present and future fell to sin. If in this instance, Paul warns of angels from heaven… how much more would fallen angels like us to believe a different gospel?

We must remember, angels (and all creatures, spirit, flesh or otherwise) are created. The very thing that makes us (or them) not God, is our capacity to sin. God alone is perfectly, perfect.

Recently, Pastor John Piper answered a question about angels sinning, and our future capacity to sin in eternity. In his answer, Pastor John expresses the mystery of sins origin, yet reminds us that in the gospel we have faith that Christ assures our salvation for eternity. We will be forever His, forever. No more falling away. No more sin.

None the less, we should be alert. There is far greater and more powerful enemies of the Gospel than our mere eyes and ears can sense. Pray for discernment, and spiritual protection. We are blessed in our wisdom of these things through Scripture, and much more in the very presence and power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

When God blesses us, by the power of His Spirit and He equips us with His good gifts: we produce spiritual fruit in and around our lives and deal swift blows to the enemies of God. We can stand against these attacks of the spiritual kind (and I may argue, they are far more subtle yet consistent then we typically assume).

We have no place to “impress” the spiritual realm. It is not after all, our domain. We have no need to be “glorified” before angels or demons, or any other principle or power. We are to bring God glory. I don’t know anyone who would argue this. Yet, in our most practical daily living, do we not strive for the approval of a much less powerful and significant being. That is, our fellow man?

Who are we afraid of? They are only humans.

Psalm 103:14-16 helps me remember our human… limitation:

For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass—he blooms like a flower of the field;

when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more.

I don’t seek to please people. This approval idolatry will leave you empty and void. The curses of disappointment, resentment, jealousy, inadequacy and shame are all sown in the shadow of approval idolatry. CS Lewis described this desire to please man in terms of being accepted into secret societies, or exclusive groups, which he described as the “inner ring“.

He says:

“Once the first novelty is worn off, the members of this circle will be no more interesting than your old friends. Why should they be? You were not looking for virtue or kindness or loyalty or humour or learning or wit or any of the things that can be really enjoyed. You merely wanted to be “in”. And that is a pleasure that cannot last.”

I want to please the creator of the universe, and the savior of the world. He will never disappoint or let me down.

So how do we do that? How do we practically please God? Well, in light of this verse and context, by our obedience to preach the true gospel no matter the cost. It means that whoever you are, wherever you are, you have determined to defend the gospel.

Sometimes you may feel that it is hard to defend the gospel, or perhaps you do not see yourself as being smart enough, or well trained. You feel like you need years in apologetic and theology classes. Again, this could not be further from the truth. All Paul is requiring is that we preach the true gospel.

Jesus died for sinners. We are saved by grace. No strings attached. No fancy words.

Encourage those around you and don’t give up.

Peace be with you.