COMMONWEALTH

In Paul’s epistle to the Galatians, we see the apostle livid at how the Galatian Christians were undermining the power and message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by adding human works to the work of Christ in order to accomplish salvation. In church history, this understanding—“Jesus + human action = salvation”—has been condemned as Pelagian and unchristian. There has even been a lesser equation, something like “Jesus + a little bit of human action = salvation,” which has been condemned just as strongly as full-blown Pelagianism; we call it “semi-Pelagianism.”

In Paul’s day, his argument to the Galatians was that they needed to stop listening to the assertion that they were not truly Christian unless they adopted additional religious requirements. For some, Jesus was not enough for salvation—those who wished to belong to the people of God were told they must add something else in order to be truly saved and part of the true church.

Paul angrily and forcefully denied this message. Any formulation other than “Jesus = salvation” was false and should be rejected.

Over the last few years—and more intensely in recent months—Christians have been subjected to a similar problem. We must not only heed the apostle’s warning about this danger; we must call it out, denounce it, and proclaim the true Gospel.

Increasingly, political ideologies, movements, and cultural agendas have sought to wrap themselves in Christian language and imagery. Leaders and influencers have used biblical narratives, religious symbols, and spiritual rhetoric to persuade believers that faithfulness to Christ requires allegiance to particular political causes, national identities, or cultural battles. In doing so, they often present their preferred agendas as if they were synonymous with obedience to God.

I would not raise this concern if such efforts did not appropriate the foundational narrative of the Gospel of Jesus Christ—the story of God’s redemption of his people and the nature of the church of God. This distortion of the message of Christ is deeply troubling, because the Gospel is not a tool to advance human power, but the good news of God’s saving grace for all people.

I have often been told, “Preacher, you need to stay in your wheelhouse, which is teaching and preaching the Bible, and let others handle public affairs.” I can understand that critique. But it raises an important question: why do political voices so often refuse to remain within their own sphere? Why do they so frequently appeal to Christian language and authority in order to sanctify their aims? When the Gospel is used in this way, it becomes a weapon of triumph rather than what it truly is—the good news for the poor, the oppressed, and the broken.

This trend reflects a growing tendency among some religious leaders to tie Christian identity to ideological alignment. In recent years, many believers have heard statements implying that one’s political positions determine one’s faithfulness to Christ. Some have even suggested that a person’s spiritual authenticity can be measured by their civic loyalties or policy preferences.

Such thinking echoes the very error Paul confronted in Galatians: telling those redeemed by Christ that his saving work is not enough. It adds human systems, allegiances, or identities to the equation of salvation. But whenever we say that a person must trust Jesus and align with a particular movement, ideology, or cultural program in order to be truly faithful, we are no longer preaching the Gospel. We are proclaiming a distortion that cannot endure.

So, for what it is worth, to the people of God: Jesus is our salvation. Jesus is our hope. Jesus is our peace. Jesus is our joy. Jesus is our love. We must resist every attempt to create formulas that distract from the promise of the Gospel of our Lord, who died for all people without distinction.

The Gospel is not the property of any nation, party, or movement. It is the testimony of the greatest event in human history—the incarnation of Jesus Christ, through whom God confronts sin, defeats death, and reconciles humanity to himself.

And so we must continually return to repentance, guiding people toward the Way, the Truth, and the Life. For the day is coming when every earthly system, every power, and every dividing wall will fall away, and the Kingdom of God—made up of every nation and tongue—will stand as the only lasting community.

Therefore, let us learn from the Galatians and guard the purity of the Gospel in our own time. Let us refuse to allow it to be reshaped by human agendas, and instead be transformed by the good news that alone gives hope, peace, joy, and love. Amen.