Galatians 4:12-20

                                                                 Galatians 4:12-20

Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong.  You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.  What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me.  Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them.  It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!  I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

 

When are seeking to resolve conflict and restore those who are in error to a position that is pleasing to God there are some important components that Paul models for us in this passage.  Too often when we want to correct or confront, we forget to value the relationship and remember the wonderful experiences of the past.  It is also easy for us to focus so much on the problem before us that we doubt or forget about God’s ability to transform terrible situations into testimonies of His power and grace.

 

APPRECIATE THE BLESSINGS OF THE PAST: Paul has been correcting the church in Galatia for their abandonment of justification by faith.  However, he does not allow his disappointment over the present struggles to erase his past experience with them.  Paul remembers how his time with them was because of a physical illness.  His condition could have easily caused them to reject him or turn away from his message.  Instead, the received him, cared for him, loved him, listened to him, and followed his teaching.  Apparently, Paul’s physical ailment, possibly what he later calls his “thorn in the flesh” had something to do with his eyes.  They were so receptive that Paul feels they would have given him their own eyes if it were possible.  This depth of love marked Paul’s life and could not be forgotten now in the face of the current struggles.

 

EVALUATE THE ERRORS OF THE PRESENT: The realities of the present cannot be ignored just because of the past relationship.  The false teachers who were leading the church astray were appealing to their egos and making them feel that there was a way they could earn their favor with God instead of depending on His grace.  Paul calls them to task as this is a false and destructive teaching that would leave them powerless against their sin.  This is unacceptable and cannot be allowed to persist in the hearts and minds of the people.  Justification by grace through faith is the only means by which man can be saved.  The false teachings must be confronted and corrected.

 

ANTICIPATE THE GLORIES OF THE FUTURE: The purpose of the Gospel is for the character of Christ to be formed in us.  The Spirit of God is at work in our hearts and lives to convict and free us from sin through the Gospel.  Paul is perplexed by the ease by which the church had turned from that message to a false gospel of works.  The appeals to the pride of the present encouraged by a works based gospel cannot be allowed to distract from the truth of the eternal promise of conformity to Christ through the true Gospel.

 

APPLICATION: Be thankful for and remind others of the blessings from the past.  Courageously confront the false teachings of the present out of love and a desire for the health of the body of Christ.  Point to the hope of the promise we have in the Lord Jesus.

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