Mom's gospel

Galatians 1:11-12

No one would believe the rules my brother, sister and I grew up under; they were mother’s rules, she some how thought they were Baptist rules, like no dancing, no shorts for my sister but it was ok for my brother and I, and when it came to drinking, she had a ban on Canada Dry, we believe it was because she knew it was used with whiskey, you might call this mom’s gospel.  But was it gospel, did it have any origin in the Scripture?  The answer is no, it’s source was in mothers mind, and it caused her children to have misgivings about what was being taught at home, as well as church.

Mother’s gospel was based on what some preachers had said, and maybe she had misunderstood or twisted the fact in her mind, but that did not keep my sister from being forced to wear jeans that came below her knees at P.E. or to be told not to make friends with girls that went to dances.  Paul tells us that religion is based on man’s best at trying to please God, but it is not from God.

Verse 11 begins in this manner; “For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel.  For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.”  Religion always has it origin in man trying to come up with ways to earn Gods love, but the Scriptures are very clear that at no time and in no way did God desire man to earn what He has given freely.  If we would study the Scripture, asking the Holy Spirit to lead us into truth, then our gospel would not be distorted by man’s teaching.

The apostle Peter wrote to us the following; “For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”  (2 Peter 1:21)  We also have what the apostle Paul wrote to young Timothy about the Scriptures; “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.”  (2 Timothy 3:16)  I’ve always found comfort in this Psalm, “Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.”  (Psalm 119:89)

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice