Galatians 4:12-20 Leaders must make truth and serving out of goodwill the crown jewel of their ministries

Galatians 4:12-20 Leaders must make truth and serving out of goodwill the crown jewel of their ministries

I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong; 13 but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; 14 and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. 15 Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. 16 So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them. 18 But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you. 19 My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you— 20 but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

Background

The Judaizers, in a campaign to colonise the Gentile churches had caused a rift between Paul and the Galatian church. Paul did not hold back in revealing the Judaizers’ hidden motive in courting them. At the same time, he reiterated his apostolic mission: to labour until Christ is formed in you. Unlike the Judaizers, who courted them with veiled motives and falsities, Paul spoke the truth in goodwill. In today’s devotion, we are reminded that truth and discernment must outweigh human sentiments. And leaders must make truth and serving out of goodwill the crown jewel of their ministries.

Observation

I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are.

Paul, in calling the Galatians to “become as I am”, alluded to his own loyalty to the truth by keeping the gospel pure in the face of the Judaizers (2:5,14). Here, he rallied the Galatian Christians to join him in standing firm in the defence of the gospel (see 5:1). Paul employed an argument of the heart that calls for mutual reciprocation: for I also have become as you are. Having freed the Galatians from the bondage of the elemental things of the world to become heirs and sons of God, it is not unreasonable for Paul to require of them to stand with him in defence of the gospel.

But you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time.

Paul continued in his argument of the heart by reminding the Galatians of the close relationship they had. In fact, it was a personal illness that occasioned his meeting with them. Perhaps the illness was due to the frequent persecutions and afflictions he encountered. So serious was Paul’s illness, he considered himself a cause for trial and inconvenience to the Galatians. Even though it would have been reason enough for the Galatians to reject him, they received him as if he is an angel, as if he is Christ Himself. By reminding the Galatians how well they had previously treated him, he brought to light the reality of their enmity towards him. Apparently, their former state of blessedness and graciousness had come to an end without good reason.

So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?

It is not clear how Paul came to know about the Galatians’ state of affairs. However, it appeared to be Paul’s own perception that they were estranged from him even though what he told them was the same truth that won their allegiance in the first place. Nevertheless, it is beyond doubt that the Galatians’ seeming enmity is brought on by their association with the Judaizers.

They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them…

Paul withheld no punches in revealing the Judaizers’ intention to shut out the Galatian converts from him. Even though not much details were given concerning the Judaizers’ activities, their motive was clear: to colonise the Gentiles by way of circumcision so that they may fall within the orbit of Jerusalem/Judaism. The Judaizers who claimed to be interested only in Gentile believers being accepted by God, are in fact motivated by the Jerusalem’s political agenda. Ever since the crucifixion of Christ, Christianity has been a thorn on Jerusalem’s side (see 6:12).

That said, Paul makes known that he is not adverse to others courting the Galatian converts provided they are being courted with the right motives. In fact, it’s their desire to be courted that provided an entrance for Paul’s gospel in the first place.

My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you.

Here, Paul reiterated his mission: to labour until Christ is formed in you. He does not possess any other agenda except to see to their sanctification and perfection in Christ. Nevertheless, Paul appeared to have soften his tone when he expressed his desire to be present with them in fellowship. But still, he could not get pass the fact that they had begun to warm up to the idea of committing to the Mosaic law.

Truth

Truth and discernment must outweigh human sentiments

Paul got the Galatians on the path of faith only to find them dithering on the verge of apostasy some years later. Although the Judaizers was to blame, the Galatians were easily swayed by human sentiments. They have opened their hearts without reservation to Paul… and now they are doing the same to the Judaizers. What initially worked to their advantage at the preaching of the gospel, now worked against them at the preaching of the law. For the Galatians could not discern between truth and falsehood, goodwill and hypocrisy.

Sentiment is a sincere and refined sensibility, a tendency to be influenced by emotion rather than by reason or fact. Although an important aspect of being human, sentiment can be the cause of one’s downfall. As not all that glitters is gold, what feels right may be downright wrong. Proverbs 14:12, 15 says,

There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death… The naive believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps.

Human sentiment is an amalgamation of one’s dreams and ideals which drives one to overcome unprecedented challenges. But, sentiment also cause one to gloss over fact and reason. Therefore, we must not allow our sentiments to hinder the voice of reason and truth. Many incurred great losses because their thought processes are clouded by sentiments.

In the case of the Galatians, human sentiment almost cause them their salvation. Therefore, in all circumstances, we must not let our hearts cloud our judgment. But rather let truth and discernment take precedence.

Leaders must make truth and serving out of goodwill the crown jewel of their ministries.

All leaders in the market place as well as in the church must lead and work out of goodwill and truth. They must in the words of Paul fulfil their ministry by scrutinising their flock (reprove), correcting them (rebuke), and walking alongside them (exhort) with great patience (see 2 Timothy 4:2). So pointed was Paul’s words, the Galatians at one time seem to have alienated themselves from him ( So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?) Indeed, Paul’s motive and mission is never to glorify himself but to labour until Christ is formed in the flock.

There is always temptation to amass a following so that we may feel a sense of achievement even though people may not be coming for the right reasons. Leaders are reluctant to confront their flock for fear of alienating them. Indeed, it is much more difficult to disciple, to see Christ formed in them than to appeal to their human sentiments. For it involves the arduous process of scrutinising their lives, correcting, and walking alongside them. A leader’s earthly popularity and achievement is not representative of his true glory. For only God knows a person’s motives and the deeds done in private. Even Christ was considered as accursed, an offence during His time on earth until God vindicated Him and presented Him alive to more than 500 people.

A believer’s mission is not to do works that make him popular, but to present the truth as it is by speaking and exemplifying it. Even if the world rejects you, God stands with you and will vindicate you on the day of His return.

Application

Practice discerning with the Spirit of truth which indwells you. Proverbs 3:5-6 says,

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.

• Practice discerning the motives of the people around you, so that you may know who you can trust.
• Practice discerning the teachings in the light of the word, so that you may know what you should believe.
• Do not make decisions hastily, but be sharp in discernment so that you may be wise in handling complex situations.
• Observe your leaders in the light of Jesus Christ, so that you may be wise in choosing who you should follow.

If you are a manager, leader, a parent or a minister, reflect upon the following:

• What gives you a sense of significance and achievement?
• What have you been doing to see Christ formed in your flock or in your children?
• Are you actively reproving, rebuking, and exalting your flock towards Christ-likeness?

Dear Lord, I desire to lead my family, my church and my subordinates by exemplifying the truth with my life. Give me wisdom so that I may lead with integrity of heart and wisdom. Bring out the Christ in me, so that I may bring out the Christ in others. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.