Perplexed Paul

Taking a look at Galatians 4 this morning, Paul was very perplexed with the Galatian people. He was all sorts of confused and baffled with what they were thinking and the way that they were doing things.

There are three examples I can think of that Paul must have felt like. The first is parents. How often do your parents teach you things and we just shrug those things off. I did that all that time with my parents. It wasn't like I was trying to purposefully disobey them, I just thought I was right. Which is where I was wrong. Parents seem to have a sixth sense and they are always right. The second is a coach. I think of when we mess up plays during practice or games. The same plays that we have been running since September we will mess up sometimes. I know this drives our coaches crazy. How do we forget these simple things? The third and final example is teachers. I wonder how elementary school teachers would feel when they realize there are still very elementary things that we still mess up.

The common factor here is that with all of these examples I used, the simple things were forgotten about. That is exactly why Paul was perplexed.

In this letter, Paul address the fact that he understand that before the Galatians knew God, they were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that the Galatians have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, he wondered how they could turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose salves they seemed to want to be once more. Paul tells them that they have observed for days and months and seasons and years. At this point, Paul feels that he may have labored to the Galatians in vain. Paul tells the Galatians that he became as they were  and that they never did him any wrong. The Galatians did not scorn him or despise him, but received him as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. Paul is beginning to feel that he had become an enemy because he was telling the truth. At this point Paul feels as if the Galatians are little children. Paul says, "It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! Paul finishes his thoughts by saying that he wishes he could be present with the Galatians and that he wants to change his tone because he is perplexed.

Do you understand where Paul is coming from now? Paul understands that before they knew who God was, they didn't know any better. But once they learned who God was, why did they go back to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world? I wonder why we do that. Many of us know God and have a relationship with him but why do we go back to worldly principles? It's the battle that we fight everyday. The battle between flesh and spirit.

What amazes me is that Paul compares the way he was feeling to childbirth. I obviously don't what that feels like, but I guess it's about the worst pain you can feel. Paul felt that way because the people of Galatia were turning back to worldly ways and away from God. I wonder how God feels when we turn out backs on him. Is God just as perplexed? Honestly, probably not. God's grace saves us over and over again. He knows we are not perfect and knows that we sin and make mistakes everyday.

My challenge and encouragement for you is to stick to God. Once you know God, don't turn your back. No matter how appealing the things of this world may seem, the things of this world cannot fill you the way that the Holy Spirit fills you.  Let's not cause anyone to be perplexed.