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When people draw you away - or try to draw you away - from Jesus Christ - joy begins to go. Then you lose your peace - and then you try to keep their miserable rules and regulations which are inevitably introduced - and you realise you can't keep them - and you feel guilty and unworthy and unrighteous. All this was beginning to happen in the Church of Jesus Christ in Galatia. We are reading Galatians Chapter 4.

Paul could discern what was going on. He would notice the change. He could spot what was happening, and they were not the changes of maturing disciples but of those facing subtle temptation.

"The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans Chapter 14)

To begin with these people so loved and appreciated Paul - when he was weak and sick, and preaching powerfully.

It would appear that he had some serious eye trouble - because he says - "if you could have done so you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me".

We get a glimpse of the pain of the pastor's heart here. Now and again God let's us see such things. And at such times it is like handling precious spiritual crystal. We have to be very careful how we care for such a tender heart.

Verse 16 is a revealing and telling question - "Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?" He is almost wondering - have you swapped sides? He is in the difficult situation when he did not really know whose side they were on! A few months ago - I wasn't your enemy. You would have done anything for me. Some of you would even have given me your eyes. But you've had eyes for the wrong people, and ears for the wrong advice.
You have permitted bad teaching to influence you negatively. And I have pointed that out to you. Has that made you change side?

Paul is still on the side of Jesus, and that is what is causing him such concern - because he sees where they have moved to.

Verse17 - These people appear to be doing everything to win you over - to take you from one side to the other - from Christ back into the hands of the enemy - from the kingdom of light back into darkness.

Do you see what serious issues Paul is wrestling with and dealing with in this letter?

People were attempting to dominate these disciples of Jesus - manipulate their thinking - and intimidate them in subtle religious ways. This is spiritual warfare.

Paul saw that they wanted to take these disciples away from him, and from Jesus Christ, but to be as zealous - only this time - up to no good.

Verse 18 – It is fine to be zealous - provided the purpose is good - and is of God. Be careful what you put your hand to - what you put your name to - who you side with - and not just when I am with you! This is strong concerned compassionate writing.

Verse 19 shows us something of the motherliness of Paul. I am going through all this pain - all this agony as if I were giving birth to you - because I wanted to see Christ formed in those who come to believe and I want to see Christ formed in you.

I wish I did not have to write like this. I wish I could be with you and not have to speak like this.

If there is ever a picture of pastoral concern we have here in these verses which are pregnant with the compassion of Christ. Yes, through this letter, with all its thistles thorns and dangerous deceit, God allows us to see something very precious and valuable – and worth copying and imitating.

“Gracious Father, we thank You for every precious and valuable lesson we have learned from Your Word, and for every Scriptural revelation You have enabled us to see and embrace.” Amen.

"'Christ in You...'" from Dale Krebbs

Longing For God