Love letters to the terminally ill! v26n3

Good day. Today we are posting the next newsletter in the series "Love letters to the terminally ill" Vol 26 No 3, written by our dear brother, fellow steward and ambassador of the mystery of Christ, Larry Gazelka. Our prayer is that you will be blessed and encouraged by this newsletter. Have a very blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. ***You can download a copy of the writings for personal use only by clicking on the Built Anew Ministries Archive page link above and scroll down to the current 2023 year. 
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Love letters to the terminally ill!
Vol 26 No 3 
 
For one to be ignorant of what God’s will is for you, is to ignore the remedy that God made clear in Galatians 1:3-4, as we talked about last issue.
 
Galatians 1:6-8 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. KJV
 
Note how Paul marvels that they are so soon removed from sound doctrine and instruction in the Word of truth and led astray by what amounted to false teachings and teachers, or an impostor gospel.
 
One may stare in disbelief and wonder, how they could have been so easily led astray from the truth of God’s Word? Are we not instructed to study to show ourselves approved unto God? To be a workman that has no need to be ashamed.
 
One of the things that I so often hear people say, is that the pastor said this. And others may respond, but that is what the words to a song said. They can come up with all kinds of excuses on why they have faltered in their walk, but never take responsibility for working out their own salvation.
 
2Timothy 2:15-18 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. KJV
 
If one is not sound in the doctrine of God’s Word, how will they be able to detect or spot the phonies who are going about to destroy any who know the truth. Also note how Paul said that he marveled “that they were” so soon removed from the truth. Paul could have used much stronger terminology to declare their unfaithfulness, but he did not. Paul was trying to turn them back to the truth of God’s Word and promise.
 
I marvel that ye are so soon removed - It was a matter of wonder to the apostle that a people, so soundly converted to God, should have so soon made shipwreck of their faith. But mutability itself has not a more apt subject to work upon than the human heart; the alternate workings of different passions are continually either changing the character, or giving it a different colouring. Reason, not passion, the word of God, not the sayings of men, should alone be consulted in the concerns of our salvation. 
From him that called you - The apostle seems here to mean himself. He called them into the grace of Christ; and they not only abandoned that grace, but their hearts became greatly estranged from him; so that, though at first they would have plucked out their eyes for him, they at last counted him their enemy, Ga 4:14-16. (Adam Clarke commentary)
 
Now at the time of Clarke’s comments concerning these verses, there were over 70 different narratives (70 with solid documentation) of the adulteration of the truth infiltrating the area of Galatia. So, it could have been any of these narratives that the people could have turned to, which would have led them away from the truth.
 
Since we know this is what happened at the time of Paul’s writings how the Galatians had been led away from the truth of God’s Word, how much more deceptive do you think the enemy has become some 2000 years later?
 
The word “removed” in Galatians 1:6, means to change sides or to pervert. Does one truly realize that when they teach or share something that they have heard, but it does not align in accordance with Father’s plan of reconciliation, that they now become liable for anyone that they may lead astray? Does one comprehend that they will give account of every idle word which they speak?
 
But what is an idle word one may ask. Any word that is not properly employed for the kingdom of God, would be an idle word. This would NOT be a good prescription for spiritual health or spiritual well-being.
 
Just as one will eat good and healthy things for their physical health and well-being; how much more of an imperative would this then be for one’s spiritual health?
 
Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. KJV
 
Every idle word that men shall speak.—The teaching, though general in form, still looks back to the hard, bitter words of the Pharisees which had been the starting-point of the discourse. Our Lord does not speak, as we might have expected, of "every evil word," but of "every idle—i.e., useless and purposeless—word," the random utterances which, as being more spontaneous, betray character more than deliberate speech. Such an "idle word" had been the passing taunt, "He casteth out devils by Beelzebub." It is not said, however, that for every such random speech a man shall be condemned, but that he shall give an account for it. It will enter into that great total which determines the divine estimate of his character, and, therefore, the issues of the great "day of judgment." (Ellicott’s commentary)
 
By “your” words you will justified, or by “your” words you will be condemned. There is no middle ground in this discussion. It is the truth, or it is a lie. There is no grey area here.
 
Just preceding this verse though in verse 34, 35 the Lord said: Matthew 12:34-35 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. KJV
 
We often forget that the people who opposed Jesus Christ, were the religious leaders of the day. They were the ones who were supposed to be teaching the people, but in fact were the ones leading them astray.
 
That you may know Him, 
In the service of Jesus Christ.
Larry Gazelka
 
Copyright ©, Larry Gazelka