by Dr. Paul Chappell

"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. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."

Galatians 1:8-9

If something isn't found in the Bible, it's not of God.

An author once penned this poem about the society in which he lived:

First denistry was painless;
Then bicycles were chainless
And carriages were horseless
And many laws, enforceless.
Next, cookery was fireless,
Telegraphy was wireless,
And coffee, caffeineless.
Soon oranges were seedless,
The putting green was weedless,
The college boy hatless,
The proper diet, fatless,
Now motor roads are dustless,
The latest steel is rustless,
Our tennis courts are sodless,
Our new religions, godless.

Few people would guess that poem was written in 1936. Truly, those words could describe our own culture, especially the last line "Our new religions, godless."

Many religions preach a "new gospel," a new plan by which they claim followers can reach Heaven or God. Talk of one path or one way to Heaven is scoffed, and many people seek to satisfy their soul's longing through new religions.

Paul warned the Christians at Galatia of such teaching, some of which had already been introduced in their midst. Other religious people had sought to turn them away from Scripture by introducing new "teachings" they claimed Paul had given them. (Of course, Paul had not taught such things.)

In our own world, we Christians must be vigilant against "new gospels." The devil is subtle in his attack on the Scriptures. His plan includes introducing new teachings that may sound biblical yet differ from what God's Word teaches.

As a Christian, you must be diligent in reading, searching, and memorizing the Bible to ward off such attacks. The only way you'll be able to cling to the truth of God's Word and reject the false teachings of "religious" people is to daily spend time reading the Scriptures.

God doesn't simply want you to spend time studying His Word because He wrote it (although that's reason enough), but because He realizes the Bible is protection against false teachings. Don't be easily swayed by those who might sound biblical or religious.

Are you guarding yourself against false gospels? Daily spend time reading and studying God's Word. If a new teaching comes across your path, see what God has to say about it in His Word. Remember, if something isn't found in the Bible, it's not of God. Protect yourself from false teachings that would take you away from God by studying His Word right now.

To learn more about the ministries of Lancaster Baptist Church and Pastor Chappell, please visit lancasterbaptist.org, paulchappell.com, or follow him on twitter.

Daily Bible Reading
Numbers 32-34 | Mark 9:30-50