Relabeled as Enemy Because Told the Truth?

Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?
Galatians 4:16



The Gospel lesson for the Sunday just past was a startling one, Jesus asking the question if we think He came to bring peace on earth? He answers, NO! I came to bring division! Made me think of this passage in Galatians where the Apostle Paul is appealing to the churches in Galatia who have been drawn away from the Gospel to a false, distorted gospel which will not save (Galatians 1:6-9) These false pastors have dishonorable intentions for those whom Christ had saved through Paul's preaching and were now in spiritual peril due to this false gospel preaching and the Galatians acceptance of it.

Paul was always a rigorous proclaimer and defender of the pure gospel (see Galatians 2:5,14) because he knew that it meant literal life and death for eternity. To have the precious Galatian believers put back under the law and be stripped of their salvation under the pure gospel was gut-wrenching and agonizing for Paul.

It was a contest for followers, and Paul seemed to be losing. But then the question must be asked: who truly loses in the end? Those who don't continue to believe in the pure gospel of the forgiveness of sins for Christ's sake, the answer from Scripture comes. For a clear and magnificent presentation of the gospel which Paul preached, see 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. So whether an angel or Paul or a false preacher preaches a different gospel than this, he is cursed to hell eternally and all those who buy the lie. (Galatians 1:8-9)

Will this kind of gospel strictness and purity endure people to a preacher? Paul says that's not the point. True gospel preachers are not about pleasing people over pleasing God. They are slaves to the pure gospel and its defense and proclamation. (Galatians 1:10-11) Even when it brings division between those who formerly called themselves pastor and people, now it turns to "enemy." And only because Paul spoke the truth to them!

May the Lord make us ever cautious and careful to discern what is the true, pure gospel by which we can only be saved. May He also make us enemies of those who distort the precious gospel and thus rob people of eternity!