Read Galatians 1:6-9
ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16 NLT)
We’ve all seen the bumper magnets and bulletin signs urging us to “Keep Christ in Christmas.” While well-intentioned, this phrase often misses the mark. It focuses on preserving a commercialized image of “baby Jesus” rather than embracing the full, transformative power of Christ in our lives. The real challenge we face isn’t just keeping Christ in a holiday—it’s keeping Christ in Christian.
Part 6: Don’t Misrepresent the Gospel. In our modern world, the Gospel of Jesus Christ often finds itself twisted and misrepresented, sometimes by the very people who claim to preach it. Two prevalent distortions stand out: the Prosperity Gospel and the conflation of faith with political allegiance.
The Prosperity Gospel reduces Christ’s teachings to a self-help program, promising material success and earthly comfort to those who believe. A prime example of this is Joel Osteen’s ministry. During Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Osteen faced criticism for not immediately opening Lakewood Church to flood victims. While the church cited legitimate safety concerns due to flooding risks, this incident highlighted a deeper issue with Osteen’s theology.
Osteen’s teachings, exemplified in his book “Your Best Life Now,” often relegate the Gospel to a 12-step program for success. The message becomes “Live your best life now. That’s what God wants.” But is that really the core of the Gospel? Tell that to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was executed for his faith opposing the Nazi regime. He clearly missed that memo.
This “gospel” suggests that if we just believe hard enough or give generously enough, God will bless us with wealth and success. But what about believers facing persecution? What about faithful Christians battling poverty or illness? This distorted message fails to account for the depth and complexity of the true Gospel.
Another dangerous misrepresentation occurs when faith becomes entangled with political ideologies. Some religious leaders claim divine endorsement for specific political figures or movements, suggesting that support for particular candidates or parties is a prerequisite for true faith. This approach not only distorts the Gospel but also risks elevating human institutions to a position of ultimate authority—a theme we’ll explore further in our “Don’t Put Government Over God” devotional.
When we conflate our national or political identity with our Christian identity, we risk creating a false gospel that serves our own interests rather than God’s kingdom. The true Gospel transcends all human divisions and ideologies, calling us to a higher allegiance.
The Apostle Paul’s words to the Galatians serve as a stark warning against these distortions: “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” (Galatians 1:6-7 NLT).
The true Gospel is not about personal prosperity or political power. It’s about the transformative power of Christ’s love and sacrifice. It calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus—even when that path leads through hardship and suffering. It challenges us to love our neighbors, seek justice, and live in humble obedience to God’s will.
As followers of Christ, we have a responsibility to accurately represent the Gospel in both word and deed. This requires careful study of Scripture, a willingness to embrace the full counsel of God’s Word, and the courage to live out our faith even when it conflicts with cultural norms or personal comfort.
Let us strive to keep Christ—the true Christ of Scripture—at the center of our faith and practice. May we resist the temptation to reshape the Gospel into something more palatable or self-serving, and instead embrace its full, transformative power in our lives and in our world.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
“The Gospel is not a doctrine of the tongue, but of life.” – John CalvinPRAYER
God, forgive us for the times we’ve misrepresented Your Gospel. Help us to understand and live out the true message of Christ, embracing its full power and challenge. May our lives reflect the transformative love and sacrifice of Jesus, drawing others to Your truth. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.Devotion written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of Perplexity AI.