Many cults believe that if they do well enough, and if they are one of the lucky ones, then they might be saved. Any group or individual that tells you that in order to be saved you must keep certain man made laws is a false teacher. There are many religious groups, who claim some form of Christianity, that impose legalism upon people in the name of God. Remember, it's either by grace or by works, it can't be both. Ephesians 2:8-9 says:

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast."

In Galatians 1:6-9 we are instructed to be careful not to be duped by false teachers. Paul took false teaching very seriously. He goes on to say that if anyone is teaching a "different" gospel than the one he preached that they should be eternally condemned. What Paul was saying is "let them go to hell!" Now those are pretty strong words. Here is Paul's instruction to the Galatians regarding false teachers:

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!"

Paul doesn't stop there. In Galatians 3:1-3 Paul goes on to say that if we accept false teaching then we have been bewitched. In other words, false teaching is the same thing as witchcraft. Here is Paul's strong warning to the Galatians:

"You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" (See also Galatians 5:4 and Romans 4:4-5)

Paul makes it very clear that false teaching is a serious matter. I urge you in this time of uncertainty to make it a priority to know what you believe. We are living in a time when many strong Christians have fallen prey to deception and false teaching. Men and women of God who should know better are espousing teachings that are clearly departing from the faith.

I personally believe that we are going to experience a time of testing in this nation like never before. As followers of Jesus Christ it is imperative that we are grounded in the foundational principles that God laid out for us as believers. Many are already bringing false teaching into the church and our homes. Be prepared. Know what you believe. Learn it for yourself.

Remember, you are responsible for what you believe. You cannot blame anyone else for your decisions. It's not up to your friends, your spouse, your parents, or your pastor to tell you what to believe. It's up to you to find out God's truths for your life.

This artice was published on Associated Content as part of a Sermon Outline Series. For the series version with reader's comments click here.