Galatians 4: 8-20
However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods.
I can relate to this. Before I knew God, I had an addiction. I tried to reform myself, but every time I took a step forward, I slid two steps backward. I was a slave, bound to that weakness, that sin.
But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God,
I know God now, but it's because He knew me first, and came to me. I'm the one who was lost, and He found me.
how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?
These people in Galatia have been rescued from their dependence on rituals that could do nothing for them. But now they are turning back to them, as though they are different. But the rituals haven't changed.
You observe days and months and seasons and years.
This was part of their pagan beliefs before Paul came to them with the Gospel.
I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.
Paul is vocalizing a query here, has all the Truth he taught them being just thrown away?
I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are.
Paul learned to empathize with people in what they were going through, how their thinking brought unfavorable consequences, and led them into better paths. He always started with where they were. So now he's asking them to look at his lifestyle and thought patterns in response.
You have done me no wrong;
but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the Gospel to you the first time;
Evidently Paul had a physical problem that he needed to take care of, and he had Dr. Luke travel with him.
and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe
But even so, these people weren't put off by his illness.
but you received me as an Angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.
They welcomed him into their world, even as they would welcome an Angel or Christ, Himself.
Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
Paul did have some kind of "thorn in the flesh" that bothered him. Here is an indication that it may have had something to do with his eyes. It's possible that the "scales" that fell from his eyes could have had some lingering effect on him (Acts 9: 18). We don't know, this is just speculation.
So have I become your enemy by telling you the Truth?
This is what happens when people have been deceived, and do not want to hear the Truth that will free them. Even among family members, who love each other as family.
They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them.
Paul is referring to the Judaizers who had come from Jerusalem after Paul had left the area. They were trying to worm their way into these people's hearts so they could have power over them.
But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you.
Here's the difference between being a wanted lover or be on a "wanted" poster.
My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you--
Paul feels like he may need to start all over again, to win these people for Christ. Like he's in labor trying to deliver them again.
but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
He wants to see them face-to-face again, so that he can be more positive and compassionate, instead of trying to solve this problem with a letter.
And he's mentally at a loss at what they're thinking now.
O my Father, You are so good to us all. You have planned out everything You would do, and You are doing everything for us, so we can be with You.
You have given us our whole past history, so that we could learn from it. We can see how others have responded to You and Your ways, and how it went for them; whether they obeyed and were blessed, or rebelled and suffered harm.
You have always given us a choice, in every circumstance, we can choose to do what is right or what is convenient. What is righteous is sometimes the harder choice, and takes wisdom to recognize that it is the better way in the long run, when the easier path will lead to destruction, illness, brokenness.
Father, I, with Paul, do not understand how anyone who has been shown Your great goodness and Love, can turn away from You! There is no one else who can rescue us, no one else that can give us peace and rest. No one else can satisfy the longings of our hearts, or fill the God-sized hole You put there.
And there are so many, Father, who don't know who You are yet, and are desperately seeking what only You can provide. Some don't have any idea that You are their Source, and You are seeking them, not willing for any to perish.
O Father, send out Your workers into Your fields to sow the seeds of Your Gospel; to reap Your fields that are ripe and ready to harvest. Send me, Father, to find some of those lost sheep, who are caught in the thicket of the World, trapped in the pit of deception; to take them by the hand and lead them, even kicking and screaming, into the safety and peace and rest of Your One Fold with One Shepherd.
And may Your house be full with all of Your children, every place at Your great Banquet Table filled, to feast with You forever.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, our Lord God Almighty, King of the Universe, to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
