Taking Chances or Embracing Truth

Introduction

Have you ever poured your heart into someone only to have them turn against you? Evidently, that has been happening throughout the history of mankind. Paul was no exception. He had poured his heart and soul into the Galatians yet they turned away from the teaching they had received. Let’s look a bit closer at this passage to determine if the Galatians were taking chances or embracing truth.

Galatians 4:13–20 NIV84

13 As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. 14 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 What has happened to all your joy? 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 be zealous for them. 18 It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and 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!

Teaching the Truth (vs. 13-14)

Paul was adamant about teaching the truth. After all, he had been commissioned by Christ to carry the Good News to the Jews and the Gentiles. What was this Good News?

The Good News

The Good News was indeed the gospel message about Jesus Christ. It was then and still is about the gift of God to all mankind for the redemption of sins and the gift of eternal life. Paul was bold in his approach. Romans 1:16

Romans 1:16 NIV84

16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

He had proclaimed the Good News to the Galatians. They had received him warmly and welcomed him. In fact, they cared for him in a time of need. We see in this passage that Paul had an illness. Some scholars link his “thorn in the flesh” to this time. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

2 Corinthians 12:7–9 NIV84

7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

We all face trials at some time or another. Do we take that weakness and turn it into a witness? Paul stated that the Lord told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

The Trial that was Faced

The trial that Paul faced with the Galatians was not treated with contempt or scorn, but they treated him as a true messenger of God. Tradition says he was often compared to Hermes, the messenger of the Greek gods. But over time, something happened. The Galatians were greatly influenced by Judaizers that did not care for the teaching Paul had given. Paul’s ministry to the Galatians must have lost the shininess. Maybe they got tired of caring for Paul in his illness. Nevertheless, the influence of the naysayers led the Galatians to disapprove of Paul.

The Love that was Left

What seemed like smooth sailing had turned into rough seas all of the sudden. The love that has built their relationship with Paul suddenly left. Maybe the honeymoon was over. Maybe the outside influence gave the devil just enough of a foot hold to mess things up. By the way, we are warned in scripture about that!

Ephesians 4:25–29 NIV84

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

When we allow these things to infiltrate our spiritual lives, we will trade the truth away for selfishness, that sin that stinks all the way to heaven.

Trading the Truth (vs.15-18)

Paul does not beat around the bush about this. He says, “What happened to your joy? What happened to your satisfaction?”

The Joy Lost

Have you come to the point in your Christian life that you have lost the joy you once had? 2 John 8

2 John 8 NIV84

8 Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.

Have you lost your satisfaction in the Christian life? I have seen this happen from time to time. Prominent church members become less prominent and more absent. They take their eyes off of Jesus and focus on something that far less important. Often when this happens, the joy is lost and the natural progression is to bring others down with you. All of the sudden, the minister or the messenger as was Paul, becomes the enemy. Now the interesting part here is that Paul maintains he is still sharing the truth. I have learned over the years, that the truth sometimes is not the popular way to go. We see evidence of this very thing in our passage today. The Galatians become the enemy of Paul because Paul settles for nothing less than the truth. By the way, Christianity is not a spiritual buffet in which we can pick and choose the easy over the hard. There are some tough concepts in the Word of God that we have to digest as well. We cannot just have the easy. The Judaizers had convinced the Galatians that Paul was not a legitimate apostle or spokesman for God. They felt he excluded the rituals and laws of the legalistic religion and they were out to discredit him, dishonor him and anything they could do to remove the Galatians from Paul’s teaching.

The Enemy Produced

Notice what happens when this takes place. The enemy steps in and stirs up dissension.

John 10:10 NIV84

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

The enemy strives to cause division. He aims to get his way and not God’s way.

The Fake Attention

He will even give you fake attention to get you to come over to his way. Have you ever seen that? Paul states that “those people are zealous to win you over.” Zealous opponents should not be able to woo you away from the truth of God’s salvation in Christ. You should be settled on your values and convictions and not easily swayed. You should be able to trust the one that led you to the Lord based on the truth of scripture!

Zeal is a good thing to have if it is purposed in the right direction. However, it is disastrous if one is zealous about the wrong thing. This reminds me as your pastor to be always be true to that which I preach and to always bear a true witness of what God has done in my life. We talked Wednesday night about the importance of follow through. We studied those great words of Jesus from His Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:37

Matthew 5:37 NIV84

37 Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

This is an emphasis about integrity. Paul yearns for this with his beloved Galatians. Interestingly, Paul could have turned his back on the straying Galatians, but he does something that shows his true desire and ultimately his connection to Jesus. He strives to turn them back to the truth.

Turning Back to the Truth (vs. 19-20)

The phrase, “my dear children,” is a phrase of affection. Paul is expressing his deep love for the Galatians. It is the rich, deep love of a parent. Paul takes the role of spiritual mentor very seriously.

The Love of a Parent

We already see the love of a spiritual parent. 1 Corinthians 4:14-15

1 Corinthians 4:14–15 NIV84

14 I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. 15 Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

As I studied and thought about this more, I have thought about the spiritual parents I have had, those that have come alongside me and guided me in my walk with Christ. I have felt the love that Paul is describing here. I have also thought about those that I have invested my life into. This is a gift we need to share more of, especially in the times in which we live. Who can you invest your life into? How can you help others grow?

Hebrews 10:24 NIV84

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

We all need to have those folks in our lives that help us move toward love and good deeds in the Name of Jesus.

The Desire of a Teacher

Isn’t that the desire of a teacher, to help the student grow? Paul certainly expresses this. He could have been bitter by the actions of the Galatians that were being pulled away from the truth. However, we see Paul’s greatest desire is for his students is to be conformed in the image of Christ. Oh that all teachers and preachers would have this desire for their students and church attenders! Paul’s example here shows that despite the actions of the past, there is always hope of a great and glorious future!

The Hope of a Future

Our hope of the future is to mature in Christ. 1 Thessalonians 2:19

1 Thessalonians 2:19 NIV84

19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?

Paul overflows with this hope and therefore he models forgiveness.

The Thrill of Forgiveness

There is no greater feeling than that of experiencing the thrill of forgiveness. Paul is honest in his approach and shares that he is perplexed about the condition of the Galatians. Yet, he never stops loving, he never does not forgive, and he does not cast out. Paul exemplifies Colossians 3:13

Colossians 3:13 NIV84

13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

I think the great lesson in this passage today is that we strive to testify in the truth.

Testifying in the Truth

As we do, our attitudes will determine our altitudes.

Attitudes

Philippians 2:5–8 NIV84

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Altitudes

Our attitudes help determine our altitude.

Isaiah 40:31 NIV84

31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

I think Paul demonstrates this to the Galatians in his attitude. It is worth our while to do the same. The question is, will you?