READ: Gal. 4:6–12a: … how is it that you turn again … I urge …
Through faith in Christ, sent by God, an entire transformation takes place. Now, through faith, we have become children of God.. This faith is nurtured and strengthened by the indwelling of the promised Holy Spirit through whom we call upon the Father
We are then no longer slaves to the law or sin, but sons and daughters of God. Therefore, we are also heirs of God through Christ. Our position has been unimaginably transformed. We may now pray directly to God! What a glorious prospect—to inherit eternal life through faith in our Savior!
From verse 6 onward, Paul directly addresses the Galatians.. This gospel was preached to them, and they accepted it as such. What a contrast to their pagan origins! Previously, they did not know God and served idols. But they turned to the rich gospel Paul just described. They came to know God—yes, God came to know them.
So how can it be that they are now returning to the impoverished regulations from before their conversion? Observing all those special days, which have been fulfilled through the coming of Christ, is pointless. It’s a matter of earthly rules, behaving not as sons of the Father, but as fearful slaves.
They forget that Christ has fulfilled all this, and instead think they must earn salvation apart from Him. Paul wonders whether all his teaching and preaching has been in vain. In essence, the Galatians are falling back into paganism.
Paul is saddened that his missionary work may have been for nothing. That is painful for him—but even more tragic for them, because it means they would miss out on the glory of God (Rom. 3:21–24).
But Paul does not stop at self-pity. He urgently appeals to the Galatians: “Be as I am, for I became like you; I plead with you! I, who once lived by the law, now live in Christ; follow my example—I beg you, for the sake of your salvation!”
Can we ourselves experience such a relapse?
Sing: Ps. 40:2