By Philip Graham Ryken

 

Throughout the book of Galatians Paul reveals the teachings of the Judaizers. They taught that Paul’s gospel was all right as far as it went; it just didn’t go far enough. They wanted to add law to faith as the basis for salvation. But the apostles understood that nothing should or even could  be added to Paul’s gospel (Gal. 2:6).

They knew that it is impossible to refinish the finished work of Christ. The gospel says that through his death and resurrection, Jesus Christ has done everything  that needs to be done for our salvation. If we were to try to add anything to that free and gracious gospel, it would be like taking an Olympic gold medal and having it bronzed!

The good news of the cross and the empty tomb cannot be improved; it can only be destroyed.

This is a perennial danger for the church. Christians are always trying to add something to the gospel. They elevate some aspect of Christianity to a place of supreme importance, so that the good news becomes faith in Christ plus something else.

Usually what gets added to the gospel is something good in itself:

• Some particular experience of the Holy Spirit, perhaps.
• Some special ministry (usually the ministry we are involved with).
• Some methodology for having devotions, growing a church,or raising a family.
• Some distinctive doctrine or style of worship.
• Some political or social cause.
• Some way of doing, or of not doing, what the world does.

But for the gospel to be the gospel, it has to stand alone.

The gospel is Christ plus nothing.

The old hymn by Edward Mote (1797–1874) claims that our “hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” But our hope is also built on nothing more than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. Back in chapter 1, Paul told the Galatians to accept no alternatives. Here in chapter 2, he tells them to accept no additives.

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Philip Graham Ryken