Here we are, week 3 in Galatians! Here’s this week’s Reading Plan and reading for the day. Today we are reading Galatians 4:8-20. I have posted it below. If you have a few extra minutes and please share your insights.
“8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain. 12 Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. 13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, 14 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. 15 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. 16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. 18 It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, 19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! 20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. Galatians 4:8-20
“But now that you have come to know God how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world.” Galatians 4:9
The Galatians were being tempted over and over to abandon their faith-based salvation and instead return to elementary principles of working for their salvation through following the law. They were observing days, months, seasons, and years commanded in the Old Testament but in Christ, they were freed from this legalistic obligation. It was not earning favor with God and greatly upset Paul. He had invested his time teaching them the gospel and they were departing from it and turning his hard work into vanity. Many like to attend church on Christmas and Easter so that they will feel like a good Christian – but God looks at the heart. He wants our heart 365 days a year. All the world religions require good works. That is the weak and worthless principle this world offers to right our wrongs. This is not God’s way. We are not saved by our good works. Paul loved the Galatians so much he did not want to give up on them. Instead, he continued to preach with fervor to correct their errors.
My reflection for the day: These verses really encourage me as I read how Paul never gives up, even when feeling sick, discouraged, or frustrated. I know you and I have never felt this way, right! Paul is challenging us here not to go back and practice old rituals and superstitions because…well, that’s the way we always did it in the past. We are sometimes tempted to go back to our old ways, and sometimes believe the lies of the world even when we know the truth. The Bible says you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. Don’t let yourselves be put back into bondage over untruths. Paul says that any basic “thing”- money, relationships, religious practices, must not be worshiped, treated as a god, and become the basis of one’s truth. We must make sure that Jesus is the focus of everything we do. If not, then whatever is, will enslave us! We must be on guard and not allow old ways and false beliefs to speak louder than the truth of God. You can’t mix the new with the old and still remain free because the old will taint and destroy the new. We don’t want to end up in worse bondage than before, and you no longer display the freedom of God’s grace through Christ.
Reflection Questions: Are you ever tempted to trust in your good works, or turn back to old habits, old lifestyle, or practices?
Is there someone in your life you are tempted to give up on? Do not give up. Keep praying for them and follow up with them this week to see how they are doing.
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