remain
"But if even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel
contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed."
Galatians 1:8
If you were to look into my purse right now you'd find way too many lip balms for one person, a notebook full of illegible market lists and passing thoughts, a very light wallet, and a copy of The Last Battle.
This short novel is one of my favorites and this particular copy shows my devotion to it, with its ripped cover, tea stained pages, scribbles in the margins. This book was the first time I truly felt a deep hope for heaven. C.S. Lewis paints a glorious picture of the true Narnia and in doing so gives a glimpse of the news heavens and the new earth.
Before this redemption of Narnia takes place there is a lot of confusion. A cunning ape and a pitiful donkey make people believe that Aslan has not only returned but that he has changed. The once kind, but fierce Aslan is now cruel.
Those who question this changed Aslan are silenced, given cheap reconciliations for their concerns. I am in the middle of re-reading this when I decided to pick up the book of Galatians with a friend and study it together. You don't have to read far to realize that Paul is frustrated with these people who he preached the Gospel to and who have now been won over by another Gospel. Not that there is another Gospel, Paul clarifies, but these people are believing a distortion of the true Gospel told to them by surrounding people.
It's easy for me to think that I don't fall for "other" Gospels. I want to believe that I am firmly rooted in truth and would spot any sort of perversion to the truth a mile away, but sometimes my life speaks differently. Though my words may be right, my theology correct, I can still fall so easily into legalism, into striving, into prosperity Gospel, into "Jesus and..." Gospel.
As I read these two books, and see their cry to seek truth and be firmly rooted in it, I must assess my own life. I must make sure that I am not falling into living like there is another Gospel and I must be adamant to encourage those around me in the true Gospel.
How easily we can go astray, but hallelujah we have a great Shepherd who goes after even the one. May we remain in his love and this truth.