Turning Back?

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 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? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!  I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, 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. 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. Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

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. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you. My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you! Galatians 4:8-20

The Galatian believers had formerly been pagans. Celtic Gauls. They worshipped and served false gods which must be appeased. Now, they have come to know freedom and be known by the One True God, and Paul is astonished at how easily they are influenced to turn back; not to paganism, but to legalism, which is the same principle. Either way, it is reversionism; slavery to a worldly system which cannot save. That system requires Sabbath keeping (days), High Holy Days (months), seasons and Jubilees (years), very much like the astrological superstitions of their pre-salvation lives. Paul states that they ARE observing these things…and he is not happy about it. He was actually quite upset with them over this reversionism. How could this be? He was afraid they were abandoning true doctrine for false religion.

I have to defend the Galatians just a bit. Coming to Christ as an adult who has known only worldly teachings and superstitions, one is easily confused and more than a little insecure about what is and is not the Christian Way of Life. At first, many of us feel that there must be some works required of us, some rules of behavior to prove to the world and to ourselves that we really do belong to Jesus. Paul was not constantly present with this Church to keep them focused on truth. They were baby believers, and because they were being flattered, pressured and threatened by the Judaizers to perform a certain way, they may have believed it was necessary for their spiritual growth and witness. It can happen today, among young believers seeking how to fully participate in the Christian “experience.” The Word of God is more important than any experience, but it takes some maturing to come to realize that. These people were immature, zealous and maybe more than a little unstable. That made them easy prey for the legalists. And it made Paul angry. “Have I been wasting my time with you?”

They were Gentiles, with no background in Judaism. Clean slates, as born again believers. Paul, a former Pharisee had only Judaism in his background. Because of what he had learned from the risen Jesus, his slate was cleaned, too. Old cliché: “the ground is level at the foot of the cross.” Paul had become as a Gentile, in Christianity. He admonishes the Gentiles to become as Gentiles, too, not bound by legalisms and traditions, but completely free IN CHRIST. They had received him joyfully when he brought them the gospel, welcoming him as the messenger of Christ that he actually was. He was sick at the time, and they listened to his teaching with  patience and positive reception and great love for him. “You loved me then. Question: does telling you the truth make me your enemy now?”

Sometimes, it does. People are very sensitive about their personal beliefs and human attachments, and can become hostile when their practices are challenged. The Judaizers had been “loving up” the Galatians in Paul’s absence, and turning them from the doctrine Paul taught. That was not productive for the Galatians, who should have been approaching maturity in the faith, but had been set back by this nagging from the Jews. Paul was trying to lead them on to maturity “until Christ is formed in you,” and now would essentially have to start at Basics # 1 to get them back on track.

Paul realized he was coming across harshly in this letter, and wished to be face-to-face with the Galatians, so as to be able to speak with them in a less abrasive manner, and refocus their priorities. This side-tracking of their faith was a matter of great urgency to Paul, and his letter expresses that urgency. The objective is to grow IN GRACE! Legalists will confuse you every time, if you are not on solid doctrinal footing, confident of the perfect atonement of Jesus Christ and your permanent position IN HIM.