Galatians 4:12-20 (NIV)
17Those 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. 18It is fine to be zealous, provided the
purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you. 19My
dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is
formed in you, 20how I wish I could be with you now and change my
tone, because I am perplexed about you!
Observation:
Paul was
deeply concerned and hurt by what was transpiring with the disciples in
Galatia. He had poured himself out to them. He had entrusted his care to them.
They seemingly received him with open arms. In fact, it appears they were so
zealous to take care of him that they would have torn their own eyes out for
his sake.
Paul is not
hurt for himself, though he wonders what the point of his coming was, if they
were going to turn so easily away from the truth they had found in Jesus
Christ. Their actions are now so opposite of what Paul had entrusted to them in
Jesus, that he asks if he is now their enemy.
Application:
People’s
zealousness is not a sign of spiritual maturity. We can be zealous, but if it
is for the wrong things then it is of no value. It is also of no value to have
a seasonal zeal. When the evangelist comes the people may become zealous for
Jesus, flock to the altar, sing his praises, only for the evangelist to find a
year later they people are worse off than before.
The problem
was not with Paul. It is with the people. They have allowed others to sway them
from the truth. They have accepted Paul for a season and now they have chosen
to be swayed by another voice. In the case of the passage, it is those who
would have them retreat to the law.
There is an
important lesson here for those who lead. Do not buy all the press. It is not
enough to believe others have heard the message we have spoken. It is important
to follow up as Paul does, to make corrections and shepherd the flock back into
the fold. Paul is not necessarily angry with the Galatians; rather, he is
concerned for them because of his deep love. He will not let them go quietly
into the night of false teaching.
As a good
shepherd, he calls them to understand his concern, his confusion, and how he
wishes he could actually be there. Sometimes we will be confused by the behavior
of those whom we shepherd just as our shepherds were confused with ours. We need
to go to those who may be wandering and share our concern honestly and openly.
If we have been deemed an enemy, we will find out. Nevertheless, as we love
those whom we have cared for, we will go and speak with them to guide them back
to Christ’s sheepfold.
Prayer:
Lord,
help me to love others as you have loved me, to be patient as you are patient,
and to care enough to correct as you have corrected. If I, as I may well be, am
the one who has faltered come to me quickly to lead me back to your path. Send
your messenger to speak truth that I may not despise the work you have done
through your messengers through out my life. - Amen
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