DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2018 CONFRONTING HERESY TEXT: GALATIANS 1:6-12 KEY VERSE:

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2018

CONFRONTING HERESY

TEXT: GALATIANS 1:6-12

KEY VERSE: “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel.” (Galatians 1:6)

It has been proved that the truth in the epistles to the Galatians and Romans was what Martin Luther used to drive the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. Luther discovered the basic message of absolute faith in crucified and risen Jesus as the Corner stone of salvation and eternal life.

After Paul the apostle had delivered the unchangeable doctrine to the Galatians during his missionary visit, some Jews went there to undermine his teaching. Those deceivers taught the Galatians that it was not enough to rely on faith alone in Jesus for pardon, justification and eternal life. In other words, they claimed salvation was by outward works of man or a reward for good deeds.

This was clearly erroneous. It contradicted the doctrine of Christ, which the apostles received from the Lord and taught. So, Paul came hard on those erroneous teachers and their teachings with which they subverted the doctrine of Christ and turned the minds of the Galatians converts toward apostasy. He clearly and indisputably affirmed the unchanging truth of God’s pure word (Psalm 119:89)

Our age is not different from the time Paul wrote this foundational epistle to the Galatians. We are also coming across heretical teachings that seek to overthrow our faith in Jesus Christ. We are unceasingly assailed with prosperity, worship, church administration, healing, deliverance, and so on. Like Paul, we must uncompromisingly resist them through relentless prayer and preaching of sound doctrines.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: It is wisdom to contend for heaven without compromise.
COVER to COVER: GENESIS 25 - 26.

PONDER:
1. Why was Paul so stern in rebuking these heretics? Their teachings destroy and undermine the whole essence of the Bible and the sacrifice of Jesus- salvation by faith.
2. What makes them to have such a powerful influence on the Galatians over Paul's teachings?
3. They had strong communications skills, power of persuasion v6, they were persistent and unrelenting v7, they exhibited more knowledge of the Bible than the Galatians, even though not true knowledge v8, their messages suit the natural flesh or man. All these credentials did not qualify them to be true prophets.
4. True ministers should develop and rise to the challenges posed by accursed ministers.
5. How many people are under the "dynamic", "anointed", " effective" ministrations of accursed preachers today?
5. Can we call preachers that specialize in "another gospel" different from salvation from sin and living righteously accursed preachers? Why not?
6. If your minister specializes on what the audience will want to hear and what will make them happy, you may be under accursed ministrations v10, 2 Timothy 4:3,4.
7. If you prefer a minister (or church) because he is "not judgemental" of your sins and doesn't really emphasize and challenge people to repent of sins, you may be a latter day hypocrite after all. 2Timothy 4:3,4.

HYMN: My faith has found a resting place

1. My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device nor creed;
I trust the Ever-living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.

Chorus:
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea;
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.

2. Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him,
He’ll never cast me out.
[Chorus]

3. My heart is leaning on the Word,
The written Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior’s name,
Salvation through His blood.
[Chorus]

4. My great Physician heals the sick,
The lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed,
For me His life He gave.
[Chorus]

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, give me the love of the truth that will make it impossible to be carried away by latter day deceptive preachers.
2. Lord, help me that my knowledge of the truth, persuasive and communicative skills and anointing will outmatch those of false preachers to your glory.
3. Give me the tongue of the learned and wisdom that my "adversary" will not be able to withstand.
4. Lord, expose those accursed ministers in this nation for the sake of elects who are held captives by their oration and gifts.