8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces[d]? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11 I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.
12 I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. 13 As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, 14 and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. 15 Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17 Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. 18 It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you. 19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20 how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you! Galatians 4
We have all been there at one time or another. Your friend whom you are very close with ends an unhealthy relationship. “Finally!” you think to yourself. The red flags had been there the whole time. But, of course, a red flag to some is a magnet to others. Inevitably, the friend gets back together with their ex. Your friendship goes back to low-priority. Hence, the less and less time you spend with that friend.
This passage today isn’t about getting back with an ex, but it is about getting back with your old gods (idols). The church at Galatia was a relatively healthy church at first, but with anything, the new wore off. While our savior was teaching a message of grace and self-control. Other pagan religions were promoting self-indulgence. The salesman of pagan religions really had an easy job. You can go be a Christian and live an illegal life full of persecution and pain, or you can worship a god that requires you to physically indulge yourself and live an opulent lifestyle. I am not from ancient Greece, but I am assuming most people chose the latter. It was easy and immediately satisfying.
You can almost hear the desperation in Paul’s voice as he begs the church to remember the TRUE God. Paul’s heart is breaking at the sight of Christians losing their faith and returning to their old ways. This passage has me thinking about the old ways I sometimes feel tempted to return to. Firstly, let’s acknowledge that we all have temptations to do what’s easiest. The Christian life is not about what is easy. Therefore, sometimes we are tempted to do the opposite of what we should.
Do I hear the desperation in Jesus’ voice when I am tempted to eat my way through a depressed moment (eating is one of my unhealthy vices in times of struggle)? Do I hear him telling me that I am valuable to him? Do I hear him comforting me telling me that everything is in God’s hands? Do I hear him telling me that I am a child of God? Your temptations in time of challenge may not be eating. You may be tempted to pour yourself into your job or maybe your relationship. You may be tempted to start a new home project. Keep in mind, these activities are not bad. The temptation I am referring to here is not a temptation to perform a sinful physical action. The temptation I am referring to is the temptation to forget who you are! You are not your house. You are not your job. You are not your self-indulgence. You are a child of God.
Children of God often forgot who were they were in ancient times because their world was so aggressively against them. For us, we forget who we are because our world is so busy and just plain bad at prioritizing right relationship with God. As life begins to speed up again, make sure you slow down. Keep your mind on things above. Spend time daily in the Word. Pray with your brother, Jesus. Stressors for many of us are higher now than ever before. There is no better moment then right now to listen to Jesus’ voice. Hear him when he calls to you telling you, “you are a child of God.”
Mat