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The Galatian Christians were making some very bad choices. They were choosing bondage to the Law over servitude to Christ and in so doing were choosing fleshly appetites over spiritual matters. Hear another of Paul's indictments: "You observe days and months and seasons and years." (Galatians 4.10). The context makes plain the substance of Paul's indictment as we will note in continuing to examine this text.

The Law of Moses had many ordinances which had to be remembered. Many of these things were done with specific regularity either having a weekly, monthly, or yearly frequency. Each of these remembrances required certain things of those who held to the strict observance of the Law. There were sacrifices to prepare, feasts to be eaten, prayers to be prayed, obligations to be met, journeys to be taken, and myriads of other such things to observe and do. The weight of trying to faithfully keep all the ordinances was no small thing! In fact, on one occasion Peter asked concerning the Law, "Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?" (Acts 15.10).

Since the Law had such burdensome aspects, Paul's natural question would be, "Why are you seeking to come under its tenets?" And there was no good answer. There were no spiritual gains to be had under the Law; only additional burdens and carnal ordinances. For that reason (i.e. the irrational behavior of the Galatians in turning to the doctrine of the Judaizers), Paul said, "I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain." (Galatians 4.11). There is great emotion in this statement - and love!

Paul literally feared for the spiritual welfare of the Galatians brethren. They were playing with spiritual fire and the indicators were that they were going to get burned! The truth sets free and error binds; they were in the process of rejecting the truth and turning to error. The bondage into which they seemed to be heading was no more a means to freedom than was the pagan past from which they had come. In any case, Paul's fears were real; they were headed for spiritual ruin.

There was so much at stake. Sonship was fully granted to the Galatian believers. They came behind no one as far as access to the Father and the spiritual blessings that were in Christ. They had forgiveness of sins. They stood in hope of eternal life. They were the spiritual children of Abraham and heirs of all the promises made to him. All of this and more was on the line! What Paul doubtless hoped for was for them to think!! "Just stop and think!! We can almost hear him say these words. "Why throw all this away? What do you hope to gain? Stop and think!"

Sometimes we are like the Galatians. Sometimes we fail to see the great riches that we have - either in our country, our friends, our church, our families, our jobs, etc. We, like the Galatians, see something that glitters and all too often are ready to chuck everything else to "go for the gold." God expects us to gather facts, to reason, and to act rationally in our choices. God is a God of reason and faith is reasonable. Think! Reflect! Contemplate! God is pleased when we use the faculties with which we were endowed at creation!

Questions:

1. Why did Paul stand in fear regarding the Galatian Christians?

2. Who and what had delivered them from the bondage of the previous covenant?

3. What is implied by the fact that true believers are the sons of God?

4. Why does God wish us to use the rational faculties we have? Where did the ability to reason originate?

"Refreshment in Refuge" from Gina Burgess

Things that go bump in the night