Let's not repeat the past...

It is hard to believe that 2017 is here already! Where has, the time gone? As I sit here thinking back on the events that transpired over the past year and I look forward to the things yet to unfold over the course of the next; I am reminded of just how great our God is.

Paul did the same in Galatians 4. He steps back from his criticisms of their weakness and addresses them as brothers. Galatians 4:8-31 can be quite difficult for us to grasp yet it bears no less importance for us to understand. In this passage, we see several warnings, warning the churches to be wary of what they do and who they follow as things might not always be as they appear. The Judaizers he warns them in 4:17 are “enthusiastic for them” but not for any good reasons. Have you ever known someone who was very excited? Someone who seems very passionate about your well-being, about your beliefs? Yet, the more you learn about them you realize that they never really had your best interests at heart, they were looking out only for themselves and the things that concerned them?

This is what was going on in the relationship between the churches in Galatia and the Judaizers. Paul encourages his brothers in Galatia that it is good to be excited, it’s good to be passionate, but make sure your passions are in the right place. We should be enthusiastic for the truth.

Something else key that we see in this passage you have to back up a few verses to see it laid out for us. Looking at 4:9-11 Paul says: “But now, since you know God, or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and bankrupt elemental forces? Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again? You observe special days, months, seasons, and years.  I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted. "

What on earth is Paul talking about? He is again expressing his bewilderment at their proclivity to wander. The Galatians were repeating the same mistakes, they were falling back into the same pattern however Paul here is addressing the Jewish special days, the elements of the Jewish faith.  The Christians in Galatia weren't Jews they were Gentiles, and yet Paul is calling these Jewish traditions “weak and bankrupt elemental forces” wow… That is a bit harsh, but it is true none the less. 

Now hear me on this, the observation of the special days, the traditions, the seasons in and of themselves are not the problem. It is the reason why they were attempting to adhere to them. They were pursuing these things with the goal of gaining favor with God. They went from pursuing pagan traditions for closeness to God to following the One True God, to following Jewish traditions... same mistakes, different approach... 

Think about it like this, Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, these are all important dates and seasons on the modern Christian calendar each year. Now if you were to approach any of these days or seasons with the mindset that by observing them you are gaining God’s favor you are falling into the same deception that the Galatians were in the first-century church. Take this a step further, though. Think about your daily walk. Your prayer time, your bible study, your trips to church to worship, your service at church or in the community. If you do any of these things for any other reason than to give glory to God, if you do them with the hope to make yourself more favorable in God’s eyes you are doing them for the wrong reason, and you have repeated the Galatian's mistakes.

It's not the day or the action it's the intent. Remember, God’s favor in you is not found in your performance for him. God’s favor for you is a result of the presence of Christ in you, made possible by Christ’s performance for you.

Embrace that with me this year as we grow together in our walk.

Remember it is:


Sola Gratia (saved by grace alone)Sola Fide (through faith alone)Solus Christus (in Christ alone)Sola Scriptura (according to scripture alone)
Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone)