Hans Sangtoki Bible Reading: Galatians 1:6-9
“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” (Galatians 1:8)
Recently, I found out what the word ‘dogma’ meant. The Oxford dictionary defines it as “a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true.” The meaning of this word generally associated with our faith and beliefs shocked me. In our postmodern society, people do not dare to proclaim anything to be certainly and unchangeably true. This sort of attitude has unfortunately slipped into our minds and churches too. We are scared, at times even hesitant to proclaim the gospel as the ultimate and unchangeable truth.
Paul fiercely defended the supremacy of the gospel before the Galatian church. With intensity, Paul proclaimed loud and clear that anything apart from the truth he had preached to the Galatians would be a lie. He even goes to the point of saying that if a heavenly angel proclaimed a different message to him, that angel should be accursed.
Unfortunately, if Paul existed today, we would call him arrogant and ignorant. Today, we think that being academic and civilised means having an open mind and accept everyone’s version of ‘truth’. Yet, this kind of philosophy is what has caused the decline of Christianity in the west. Our churches and we are afraid to proclaim the one and only truth in Christ because maybe, we doubt the truth of our own faith.
The question is, is it possible for people in this age to fiercely defend the truth of the gospel? Yes. The truth of the gospel has not changed and is still as relevant and applicable as it was before. And in fact, people’s opposition to the gospel and those who emphatically defend it has never changed.
Jesus mentions how the world will hate us (see John 15:18-25). Paul says how the gospel is foolish to those who think they are wise (see 1 Corinthians 1:18-31). From long ago, the world has always been and will continue to suppress and oppose all those who stand up for the gospel.
Yet, if the gospel is the only truth for mankind, what stops us from standing up for it? If there is only one message which can save, then we are responsible for making it known. The more we look around, the more we realise that the world needs Christ. If we observe the lives of those who make fools of the gospel and believe that science and technology can save the world, we will see how they have and will continue to fail such missions. In such an advanced civilisation as ours, many still feel lost and without meaning. In making life comfortable and easygoing, people still cannot find satisfaction or contentment.
The world today and the world tomorrow need people who will emphatically stand up for the gospel. So what kind of Christian are we going to be?
Lord, thank You that You have revealed Your truth to us. Thank You for what You have done on the cross for us. You are the only truth, and the world needs Your truth. Please forgive us if we have been weak Christians who are afraid of Your truth. Ground us in the foundations of Your Word, and let us get to know You personally so that we can boldly witness Your truth in our lives. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Hans Sangtoki (18) is the coordinator of RE Generation Z. He has a passion for serving his generation and sharing hope in Christ. He also has an interest in classical music and dreams of conducting an orchestra one day.