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Fair warning: the passage this week is longer than usual but it's one of the hidden gems in the Bible.

'Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? You observe days and months and seasons and years! I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain. Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. What then has become of the blessing you felt? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.' (Galatians 4:8-20)

Our past

Paul begins this passage by looking back at the Galatians history. He points out who they were, and what they did, before they became Christians. I know that I was certainly enslaved to those that by nature are not gods - how about you? When you think and talk about your pre-Christian days, do you look back in fondness, or can you only see your folly? It is such a temptation to glamorise sin that I think our minds become misled. 'Before I became a Christian I had so much fun - I got drunk every night, slept with women I didn't know the names of, took drugs I'd never heard of...and then I became a Christian and went to Bible studies instead' - it doesn't sound too different to some testimonies we hear in churches today, does it? Paul's warning is this: stop thinking about your life without Jesus as if it's a good thing! We were fools, worshipping created things rather than the Creator (see Romans 1:22-25). So come on, let's join Paul and rejoice in our salvation. Join with the Psalmist and beg God to 'restore to me the joy of your salvation' (Psalm 51:12).

Who is your brother?

Perhaps the most interesting word in this passage is where Paul calls the Galatians 'brothers'. Despite the fact they have obviously been led astray, Paul still recognises that they are still part of the same family - they haven't lost their status as children of God! Sometimes we get caught up on doctrinal issues, and that's important, but what's more important is that we're all part of the same family. The people in the churches of Galatia had not fought against Jesus, they had simply fallen foul of some false teachers, and that didn't mean that they lost their salvation.

The biblical picture is one of sheep. Jesus recognises that we're all sheep in need of a shepherd, and sheep will generally follow any shepherd or sheepdog which happens to be closest - the churches of Galatia had simply fallen under a bad shepherd while Paul was geographically distant. Do you have the spiritual strength, discernment and maturity to resist a bad shepherd? King David was a shepherd in his youth, and he had to essentially deal with two types of animals: the sheep, and the wolves. Christians are sheep submitting to the chief shepherd, Jesus. But that doesn't stop there being wolves. Wolves had entered the Galatian flock, and Paul didn't want them there. As a good shepherd, he wanted to shoot them, and that's something we shy away from. In our desire to love our neighbour we have a tendency to want everyone to be shepherded, but that's not the best course of action! You can't shepherd a wolf into a flock of sheep, because the sheep will die! Have you allowed any wolves close to you? Have you allowed any wolves into your flock? You've got to shoot them, it's the only way.

Enemies and friends

Finally, this passage gives us an insight into Paul's difficulties with the Galatian churches. They had loved him, had probably all responded to his altar calls and cried when he preached the gospel and told his testimony, yet once he'd gone away it seems the Galatians had turned away from his teaching! How gutted must Paul have felt? He even says here that it seems he has 'become their enemy by telling them the truth'. It's often hard to have someone tell us that we're sinning, and in this case the Galatians clearly moved their allegiance to false teachers (wolves) who relied on works of the law. We tend to choose our friends and teachers based on how good we feel around them, but I want to suggest something different.

I expect the Galatians felt convicted of sin around Paul - you can hardly imagine anyone telling Paul with pride how they had slept with their partner outside of marriage, can you? We ought to strategically make friends with people who we would feel guilty around, because that will inspire us to holiness in our private lives. And who would make us feel most guilty? Of course, our Mum and Dad. That's why the Bible is so heavy about spiritual parenting - even here, Paul talks about being in childbirth over the Galatians! Please, I beg you, seek out spiritual mothers and fathers who are like Paul, submit yourself to their teaching, and grow in spiritual maturity. If you meet with them and are happy to chat about your sin, then find someone else! You should feel horrible when you look someone in the eye and tell them what horrific thing you thought this week!

Come on, Christian! Let's take a step up together. No doubt we hold different views about certain aspects of doctrine, but let's unite in this: radically amputate sin. Become more like Jesus. Grow in love. Do justice. Love kindness. Walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)

"Refreshment in Refuge" from Gina Burgess

Things that go bump in the night