All Other Ground Is Sinking Sand

I thought I understood the doctrine of justification by faith alone. Spoiler: I didn't.

Digging through Romans in college, I was so carried off by the truth of God's sovereignty in my life that the idea that my own works could contribute anything to my salvation was quickly swept away with an of course not! I can't do anything! And that was that.

But I found myself at The Gospel Coalition conference named "No Other Gospel" going, okay I know the gospel, but what's the deal with these other gospels?

Pastor John Piper and Pastor Sandy Willson faithfully explained through Galatians 1-2.

Why is Paul freaking out about this other gospel that is no gospel? Why is he cursing anyone who proclaims a gospel that is different from the true gospel? What is this other gospel?

The church in Galatia was being told by Judaizers that justification by faith in Christ was great, but you must also be circumcised. Okay, the Israelite people of God were circumcised so I guess it makes sense to also be circumcised once you receive the new covenant of faith given that it's the sign of promise and all.. NO!

Paul is astonished and deeply angered by such heresies, why? Because the punishment for our sin is the holy wrath of God. May anyone who tampers with justification by faith alone be CURSED for that man has seen the divine curse-bearer Jesus Christ and has taken that wrath off of him, and placed it back onto feeble man.

Don't you know? By works of the law no one will be justified. If you claim that we must  bear even one ounce of the burden of the law on ourselves, you imply that the wrath of God for unrighteousness can be borne apart from Christ. You say Christ died for no reason involving you. For if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. 

Foolishness! Friends, it is our joy that we live by simple faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us. Do not reject the free gift of grace through faith. To do so is to curse yourself to the wrath of the Holy Father. May no man preach any other gospel but justification by faith alone, for there is no other gospel. There is no other way.

As for me, I shall call upon God. And the Lord will save me. (Psalm 55:16)