I quietly giggled to myself while telling my granddaughters how delicious the pizza was. Being avid pizza lovers, they trusted my opinion and taste buds. Suppressing my laughter became a huge challenge as they took their first bite; I knew they would hate the added goat cheese. Sure enough, in unison, all three exclaimed, "Gramma, what is this?" I almost peed my pants laughing so hard. The pizza, which I thought looked and smelled wonderful, had become "healthified" – if such a term exists. The gooey, delicious parmesan cheese was swapped with goat cheese, and, to my dismay (apologies to goat cheese enthusiasts), it was NASTY, but they didn't know until they took their first bite!
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Reflecting on this humorous memory from over five years ago, I draw a parallel to how the Gospel message has been reinterpreted. The Gospel, a true and complete message of grace, love, and forgiveness that prompted people to repent and recognize their need for a Savior, has now been simplified to emphasize grace and love alone.
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Similar to how the goat cheese pizza repulsed my granddaughters, those who profess Christ and have the privilege of teaching or preaching His Word should be equally repulsed by this simplified and distorted Gospel. Paul says, "But 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, ESV). Therefore, I encourage you, fellow Christian, to stand firm in the Truth. Don't just laugh it off; the deceiver is not merely playing a game; he's playing for keeps.
