The Gospel – not something made up by man
Ref. Galatians 1:11
Can following certain observances make you a Christian, or adhering to all the right rules make you a believer? If this were so, then what role would the Holy Spirit have? In Galatians, The Apostle Paul expresses his astonishment with the Galatian church because they were being led astray to follow a gospel that was something other than the good news which Paul had preached. He said that some were, “perverting the Gospel of Christ.”
To express the seriousness of someone changing the message of the cross, Paul says it like this: “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. 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.” (Gal. 1:8-9 ESV) Can you imagine that even an angel would be—anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment should he preach contrary? No church should require you to follow their traditions before accepting you as a Christian.
The Good News of the new life—that which Jesus came to earth to bring—is not something that man has made up. It is not something to be received as a teaching of man, nor is it about following certain rules. It is received solely by revelation. This is what Jesus was indicating when he was speaking with the religious leader Nicodemus, saying, “You (plural) must be born again.” Jesus was speaking with someone who should have known, he was, after all Israel’s teacher. Nicodemus knew the Scriptures, he taught the Scriptures, but he had never received the revelation of God by the Holy Spirit. “The flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit,” Jesus told him. (John 3:6)
So, you can do your best to follow the teachings of Christ, and adhere to the ways of a believer, but it is the Spirit that changes you from the inside and brings about a new birth. Does your spirit within you say that you’re a sinner? Are you aware that you don’t live up to God’s holy standard? I hope so, because this is true of everyone. If you have come to that realization then I have Good News: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
Pray, and ask Jesus to enter in and take away all your sin. Let His forgiveness wash away all guilt, and let Him be the Lord of your life.