One of the most difficult
parts of being a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ is to present
the truth of God, have people believe it, and then watch them walk
away and believe false teachings. It seems like the truth arrives on
the back of a snail while falsehood sores in like an eagle. Paul the
apostle felt this way as he presented his words to the church members
in Galatia. Although he told them of the wonderful grace of God as
given by Jesus Christ's substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, Paul
knew they were believing they should return to living under the law
of God to be saved. In verse ten of chapter four Paul noticed that
they were observing days, months, times and years, and this stirred a
reaction in Paul. He shares it with them in verse eleven where he
wrote:
I am afraid of you,
lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.
Paul begins with, “I am
afraid of you,” or rather “I am afraid for you” or
“I fear for you.” Paul had a genuine concern for those he
was writing. Whenever there is a diversion from the truth of God, we
do well to be concerned for those who are believing heresy. Paul knew
the implications of following false doctrine, and his concern,
inspired by the Holy Spirit of God, was his purpose for writing this
book in the first place.
Paul continued, “lest I
have bestowed upon you labor in vain.” Paul began to wonder, as
most loving pastors will, whether or not his investment in the
church members of Galatia's lives was simply a waste of time. Paul
genuinely cared for the people there, and when he heard they were
being persuaded toward the false doctrine of the Judaizers, he could
not help but wonder if all his efforts were in vain.
We happen to know that
Paul's efforts were not in vain because we are reading his words of
warning to them today, however, if we ponder it for a while, we will
sometimes wonder if all our efforts toward the gospel really does
have an affect upon people. As wonderful as the truth of the gospel
of grace is, and though the presentation and care for delivering it
is there, we might wonder if the words we share are landing in the
hearts of anyone. If we do not know Jesus Christ as our personal
Savior, and we have not received His wonderful gift of grace, there
is a simple question – why not? And, if we have received the gospel
of Jesus Christ, are we continuing to live by its principles or have
false doctrines crept in that would make Paul the apostle wonder if
he labored in vain? Perhaps these questions shall be our pondering
for the day, and may God add and continue His truth within our souls.
Next time Paul will show his concern over working in vain, so read
ahead, and let us join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look for
the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation
to Generation” in all major
bookstore
sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to
e-books, and find it locally
at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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