⏱ 5 min read

“You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth? – Galatians 4:13-16

In this passage, Paul speaks about some of his sufferings which led him to the Galatia region (when he preached there the first time). He spoke on how the Galatian believers had received, honoured and loved him so well during that time.

He then asked, “Have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” As in, “Is it because I tell you the truth that your affections have now changed towards me?”

• Dearly beloved, embedded in love is truth and rebuke. Ephesians 4:15 teaches us to speak the truth in love; Hebrews 12:6 says, the Lord rebukes those He loves.
• We must learn how to respond appropriately to truth, instructions, reproves and rebukes. May we not change and tag our true lovers as enemies when they point out the truth to us.

May our affections not change when we are rebuked by the Lord and by the people He sends our way. It is actually kindness and love to have this. There is an excellent oil or anointing that is available only for those that can be smitten (Psalm 141:5).

"Those false teachers are so eager to win your favor, but their intentions are not good. They are trying to shut you off from me so that you will pay attention only to them. 
If someone is eager to do good things for you, that’s all right; but let them do it all the time, not just when I’m with you." - Galatians 4:17-18 NLT

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Paul gives us more clues on how to identify false brethren and teachers. Watch out for people who are eager to win your favour and get your attention from Person X (leader, spouse, etc.) to them.

• They try to shut you off from Person X in this pursuit; and they do that by eagerly doing good things for you or giving you good things.
• Is it bad for you to receive good things? No, not at all.
• But if they’re eager to do you good, then they should do it always in God’s love and not as a competition to win your favour. 

Dear friend, note that Paul is talking to believers in church. You must be watchful when people are eager to win your favour because of your connection to another person. There can be ‘political’ moves even inside the church. May the Holy Spirit help you identify the signs of this falsehood also.

Let’s conclude today with v19. Here, we see Paul’s genuine love for the Galatian believers, even in their error and change of affection. Paul had laboured in preaching, teaching, prayer, and tears to win them to Christ, so he considered them his children in the faith. They were very dear to him. 

• But now he had to travail in birth again until they would come back to God, and Christ would be formed in them again.
• Because they had fallen from grace and had to be renewed again. This travail is what you and I need to do for new believers, children, converts, souls, backslidden brethen.
• It is by travailing in prayer and teaching (which can cause physical and spiritual suffering to you) until Christ is formed in them.

Today, who and who can you travail in prayer for? If you’re already travailing for someone, please don’t stop! God brought this word your way to encourage you to do it until Christ is formed in them!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, rebukes and corrections are painful and difficult to receive. Please give me a humble heart to accept your rebukes and corrections, and to know that I am dearly loved. Holy Spirit, please give me at least one person I can travail for until Christ is formed in them, in Jesus’ name I pray.

Hey, you're blessed and highly favoured and dearly loved!
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