What does "not from the One who calls you" imply about false teachings? Understanding the Setting Galatians 5 opens with Paul urging believers to “stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (v. 1). Judaizers were insisting that Gentile Christians submit to circumcision and Mosaic regulations. Into that context Paul writes, “This persuasion does not come from the One who calls you” (v. 8). What the Phrase Teaches about False Teaching • False teaching has an origin—but it is not God. • A genuine call from God is always consistent with the gospel of grace already revealed (Galatians 1:6–9). • Anything that departs from Christ’s completed work is an outside intrusion, not an in-house disagreement. • The wording “the One who calls you” highlights God’s ongoing, personal initiative; departures from the gospel interrupt that relationship. Tracing the Source of False Teaching 1. Human Flesh • Desire for control or approval (Galatians 6:12-13). • Religious pride adds works to grace. 2. Worldly Culture • Colossians 2:8 warns against philosophy and empty deceit according to human tradition. • Cultural prestige can pressure believers to dilute the gospel. 3. Demonic Influence • 1 Timothy 4:1: “Some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits…” • 2 Corinthians 11:14-15: Satan masquerades as an angel of light, his servants as servants of righteousness. Contrasting the Two Voices Voice of the One Who Calls: • Leads to freedom (Galatians 5:1). • Centers on Christ’s sufficiency (John 19:30). • Produces the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Voice of False Persuasion: • Demands performance for acceptance (Galatians 3:3). • Breeds confusion and unrest (James 3:14-16). • Results in bondage and loss of joy (Galatians 4:15). Practical Guardrails for Today • Test every teaching by the completed work of Christ (Acts 17:11). • Look for the fruit: liberty in the Spirit versus compulsion and fear. • Stay anchored in Scripture; God’s call never contradicts His written Word (Psalm 19:7-9). • Listen for the Shepherd’s familiar voice—“My sheep hear My voice…they will never follow a stranger” (John 10:27, 5). Key Takeaways • “Not from the One who calls you” exposes false teaching as external to God’s plan. • The gospel’s purity is safeguarded by recognizing that anything contradicting grace must be rejected. • Believers remain free by discerning origins: if it is not from the Caller, it must not be followed. |
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