May 9, 2025 -- Galatians 1:3-5 -- Rescue from the present evil age

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Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Galatians 1:3-5 ESV
 
Breathlessly the news was announced “There is a new pope!” And newscasters were tumbling over themselves to note he was an American Cardinal. It is grievous, but important,  to note a few things.

  • First, he is not the catholic pope—catholic is a technical word that describes all  those people who belong to the church of Jesus, people from the beginning of time to Jesus’s return. So, he is the Roman Catholic Pope. The leader of a denomination which is headquartered out of the Vatican, in Rome.

  • Second, he has titles which are blasphemous. One of his titles is the Vicar of Jesus Christ. That is so profoundly blasphemous because it claims this man is the minister to Jesus. This is in direction violation of the Word of God which teaches the Holy Spirit alone is the vicar of Jesus Christ.

  • Third, the Roman Catholic Church teaches heretical doctrines. An example is the belief there are men and women who are so good in their obedience to God their works exceed what God requires. This is called supererogation. Roman Catholic Church dogma teaches that the Pope holds those extra credits and can apply them to people who need extra grace. Which points to another heretical teaching. Roman Catholics believe that after death, punishment is still required in purgatory. No such teaching exists in the Bible. Added to this, Roman Catholics believe indulgences (that is, the extra credits earned by saints) are applied to persons at the discretion of the Pope which shorten a person’s time in purgatory. It is beyond nonsense. This teaching denies the fully accomplished work of Jesus as our Savior, Who delivers us from the present evil age.

  • Fourth, the disputed title of Mary as the co-mediatrix of grace and blessing has not been explicitly renounced. There are prominent Roman Catholics who attribute to Mary some of the mediatorial, that is, prayer-work, of Jesus. She, like you and me, needs the saving work of Jesus Christ. In no sense whatsoever can she share in any of Jesus’ work. It is beyond description vile to attribute to Mary what belongs to Jesus alone. In Scripture, Mary is appropriately honoured. Roman Catholic believers place Mary on a pedestal and so give to her glory which belongs to God alone.

 
Why mention such things? Jesus has come to rescue us from the present evil age. The present evil age includes media, and social influencers who were all excited about a pope who leads millions away from the truth of Jesus Christ.
 
This present evil age includes individual Christians who need to repent of their sins. Church leaders of every denomination, and Christians in the pews, must continually reform their minds in the light of the Bible and renew obedience to Jesus Christ as He truly is. That means believers constantly resist forming a caricature of Jesus or of his teachings. It is easier to serve a Jesus Who is not so holy, or perfect. The Spirit leads believers to know Him and worship Him as He is.
 
This present evil age includes the corruption that infects people at all levels of governments, and bureaucrats in every place. Christians are not to be dismissive of political leaders and governments. No! In obedience to the word, go to God in prayer for their leaders and members of government. Those appointed to rule are given such positions at God’s command. Some leaders are appointed to punish wicked nations for their sinfulness, some leaders to bless those who are faithful—all men and women in leadership are imperfect and urgently in need of our prayers.
 
The point is believers from every church group and denomination and in every place are by their words, life, and worship to bring glory to God forever. Our lives are not our own. Christians are named followers of Jesus Christ. As such, we do not pick and choose what to believe, our orthodox belief must lead to orthopraxy (actions which flow from correct belief).
 
Mighty God of wisdom and glory, keep us from distorting the gospel or deserting Jesus in favor of a different gospel. By the powerful work of Your Spirit within us, lead us to know Jesus as He is revealed in the Bible. Spirit of the Living God, conform our thoughts and direct our actions to be fully in line with the teachings of Jesus. Jesus, Who is the radiance of the Father’s glory and the Father’s final prophet, priest, and king leading us into all wholeness and holiness. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/8wfhhFHMgxY?si=t9iXJMwX5AphIP8y Jesus is Mine
 

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