Paul’s Concern for the Galatians
Open Your Bible
Galatians 4:8-20, Deuteronomy 32:1-9, Acts 17:24-31, Romans 1:18-25
BY Bailey Gillespie
Last year, I told a good friend that my life felt characterized by loss. We were sitting in a two-story coffee shop, iced chai in hand, and I felt guilty as soon as I said it. After all, this wasn’t entirely true. Loss didn’t always steal my joy in those times of tasting God’s goodness and His many good gifts, but it always overshadowed it once my attention drifted to what had been taken away. My friend then did what he does best: challenge that belief. This didn’t need to be the story, or lens, through which I interpreted my life. We could learn to look for what was there, rather than what was missing.
The truth was I was enslaved to this false narrative, just like the Galatians were enslaved to former ways of living. It’s easy to read the New Testament and wonder why it was so hard for people to stay faithful to God after an encounter. These people had known God and been known by Him, yet they turned away. Why? How do people who were living so close to the time of Christ—and the formation of the early church—turn away from it? This was the question also burning inside of the apostle Paul. “But now,” he said, “since you know God, or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elements? Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again?” (Gl 4:9).
Paul is implying that real relationship should inspire loyalty and freedom. Instead, the Galatians had become enslaved to “weak and worthless elements” by reverting back to worshipping false gods. You see, human nature is human nature. Even after encountering God today, like the Galatians encountered Him back then, we still allow ourselves to be enslaved by untrue stories or objects of false hope.
“Where, then, is your blessing?” Paul asks (Gl 4:15). We can’t receive the blessing of being sons and daughters if we are enslaved to the law, or false gods, or any other object outside of Christ. That is, in fact, the very curse of sin that Christ came to break.
Paul so deeply desired that these people find freedom and a genuine commitment to God that He said He was “suffering labor pains” until Christ was formed in them (4:19). This type of personal interest only comes from someone who encounters Jesus, finds transformation, and seeks the eternal well-being of others.
Staying close to Jesus is the only way to release the things we’re enslaved to. Whether it’s the narratives in our heads, or other tangible idols, we will never be able to fight hard enough against the inclinations of our own flesh. Victory comes through Christ alone. Victory and blessing.
23 thoughts on "Paul’s Concern for the Galatians"
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Today I feel like a “Paul” in a world of Galatians. My frustration and confusion towards others regarding choices they have made or are continuing to make are causing me “labor pains.” Why? Why are you walking in that direction when you know the way? And HOW? How could you continue to carry out these selfless acts, not even realizing the one you’re hurting aside from me, is yourself…
I understand Paul’s pain. I understand his frustration. I read this passage today and almost feel as if he took my inner thoughts and wrote them out perfectly, explaining every detail and emotion I am currently experiencing.
But today I lay down my frustration and confusion and “cast my cares on Him.” I hand over the ones who are carelessly walking in every different direction other than the direction they are called to. I release my hurt, isolation, fear, sorrow, anger, confusion and completely lay them at His feet.
Today I let go of the Paul inside of me that try’s to figure out the “whys” and instead embrace the Paul inside of me that continues to pursue the lost “until Christ is formed in them,” replacing my confusion with grace.
My prayer is that I begin to look at the lost through the eyes of Christ. I pray that I remember, I too, am lost but have a God that is “not far from each one of us.”
God doesn’t get upset when I turn from him and focus my eyes back on those weak and worthless elements. He remembers, while they may be weak & worthless, they are comfortable. And walking away from our comfort zone takes time. Time he’s willing to give. And as I take that time, his head isn’t face down, staring at a ticking watch while his foot taps repeatedly, creating a demeanor of annoyance. He simply walks with me back & forth, from worthless elements to my savior, and from my savior back to worthless elements, waiting patiently for my surrender.
Thank you, God, for your grace upon grace upon grace.
You truly are so good to me.-
I had the same thoughts! Thank for sharing your insight, Moriah. You have beautifully refocused my heart on grace and reminded me that God is with me wherever I walk.
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I love your post, Moriah! That God is willing to give us the time we need to walk away from our bad habits. Exchange our confusion for grace; even when the one needing grace is ourselves.
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This type of personal interest only comes from someone who encounters Jesus, finds transformation, and seeks the eternal well-being of others. We have encountered Jesus. May we now seek the eternal well-being of others so much that in not doing so we suffer the same pain as Paul.
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Amen! I would like to have that kind of personal interest in those around me. To physically hurt if they haven’t found God yet.
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“Staying close to Jesus is the only way to release the things we’re enslaved to.”
May I stay close to Jesus, remain focused on the grace of the gospel, and remember my hope comes only from Him.
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I have always told my children, and close close friends and even my brother a while back that they will never do anything that will ever cause me to stop loving them. They may fail me and I will fail them but I love them so much! And if me being human with faults who fails all the time how much MORE does Jesus love me with all my faults and failures. HIS love will never end. HIS love is perfect. He will always love me no matter what. All I have to do is ask for forgiveness, repent and move on. Now that’s my God
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My take away – focus on what I have. Count my blessings. Don’t lose focus on Jesus.
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I had not considered until today how our lens can be the idol we serve. The mindset that God is good but maybe we still need to live by works to be saved. The mindset that our life is characterized by loss instead of trusting a faithful God is guiding us every step of the way for our good.
I’ve been struggling to shake off an old narrative of being a victim. Waiting for the other shoe to drop instead of trusting I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
Thank you God for your Word today! May I serve only you.
Kara
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Amen!
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“But in the past, since you didn’t know God, you were enslaved to things that by nature are not gods. But now, since you know God, or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elements?”
If you are older, as I am, you may have noticed that “all that glitters is not gold.” For me meaning that things that I thought were of value, things I made a priority and put great effort into, once attained, or in time, are like broken glass – glittering when the sun hits it, but of no value without the light. Dare I say garbage, rubbish? When I read the above verse I think of some of those things. Things I chased after, hoped for, even schemed (I know, that’s an ugly word) to have. Possibly, probably, definitely, idols of my own making. I did not do it on purpose – meaning, I was “courted eagerly” and little by little softened to the effect of my distracted vision. My Galatia.
So today, as I “remember the days of old,” (both the good and bad) Lord Jesus, adjust my vision, adjust my heart attitude to seek God, reach out and find him, and to trust Him for my life, my movement, and my being. Thank you Lord for overlooking my times of ignorance and loving me, adopting me, bringing me to repentance. Every time I begin to become distracted from the vision you have for my life, give me the wisdom to see and recognize immediately, to be guided by and attune to the Holy Spirit, and the courage to stand firm and focused, clothed in your righteousness alone.
I pray this not just for myself Lord, but for each one of these children whom You love. For my sisters and brothers, fellow heirs in your kingdom. For you are good and your love endures forever.
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Wonderful assessment Angie. Praise the Lord, His love endures forever❣️
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I can almost hear Paul’s heart breaking as he pens his words in Galatians 4:8-20. The church in Galatia is drifting away from the Truth and it pains Paul. He urges them to repent and regain their lost ground. God has so much in store for His people, He’s done so much, and yet they foolishly have abandoned Him. Paul has taught them the Truth and been a good example to them of living free in Christ and yet they live a life contrary to both. Paul despairs “I don’t know what to do about you.” Paul has given them his all, poured out his heart. Yet they had exchanged the Truth for a lie. Were the Galatians too far gone? May it never be so! Paul is forthright about their faithlessness but he offers the hope that comes from repentance. He challenges them to humble themselves and return to God. Just as the Galatians are not too far gone, neither are we. We may have wandered off course. We may have gone our own way. We may be walking in deception that has tickled our ears and promised us false security. We may be terribly embarrassed and ashamed of our behavior. BUT GOD desires to gather us back under His wings. We need only surrender our pride and say “I’m sorry” for the second chance, for the do-over to begin. God is forgiving. We need only ask. As we place our hand once more into His, as we walk again with Him and not against Him, we find the freedom we were seeking. We are most free when we are at home with Him. He stands at the door and knocks. And knocks. And knocks. No matter how far we’ve roamed, how far we’ve fallen, we need only open the door. He’s there. Say hello. Invite Him in. Say you’re sorry. He will forgive.
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Beautifully written and such an excellent follow up to this devotional. Thank you Churchmouse for sharing your insights!
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Thank you churdhmouse. Well said.
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