Galatians 4 - Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ

My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, (Galatians 4:19)

I have always wondered how life would be like to be there with Jesus some two thousands years ago, to hear Him speak directly, and to watch Him perform signs and miracles before my very eyes.

Now, I wonder how it would be like to be living in the days when Paul was going around establishing churches, doing both pastoral and evangelism work.

We all know he was like a father to the believers, having begotten them through the gospel in Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 4:14-15). Isn’t it wonderful to have a mentor like him in our life of faith, to teach us what’s right and what’s wrong, and to guide us along our way?

For whom I Labour in birth

We should really thank God if we are able to think of someone in our life who is like Paul to us. However, how about passing it forward and consider if we have been Pauls to the people in our lives? As RE teachers, or counsellors, or befrienders to truth-seekers (in fact, every believer!), we have the opportunity to impact on somebody’s life. Do we seize hold of that opportunity, that grace? Do we go to the extent of labouring in birth for these “little children”?

I guess Paul used “labour in birth” to illustrate how painful and difficult the process to bring someone to Christ can be. It is something we have to persevere in, in order to deliver someone in Christ. Have we truly “labour in birth” for someone else? Or have we only been dwelling in our own comfort zone?

Until Christ is formed in you

and this is our ultimate aim, isn’t it? That Christ should form in the little ones we pastor. Sometimes along the way, we may have forgotten about this. We get so tied up with planning good and creative lessons or events, that we forgot the true goal of it all is to make sure that at the end of the day, Christ may be formed in each and every one of us.

I am afraid for you, … (Gal 4:11)

How about considering this too - do we actually fear for another’s faith? Or we live oblivious to the people around us? Do we actively look out for each other’s faith and seek to build each other up?

… lest I have labored for you in vain. (Gal 4:11)

Paul did not mean that he regret labouring for the believers, but ‘laboured for you in vain’ meant the possibility that even believers of Christ may not be saved at the end of the day. In other words, not all who claimed to be Christian would enter the kingdom of God and enjoy eternal bliss.

Paul was not thinking about himself; he was thinking for the believers, reminding them and hoping that his labour would not be in vain, that is, everyone will be kept on this narrow path unto heaven.

Brethren, I urge you to become like me, (Gal 4:12)

Do we sometimes wonder if Paul was a little bit conceited when he says something like this? But after some thought, I start to reason that how many of us can boldly make such a remark?

“Imitate me..”

Paul must have had a certain level of spirituality to make such a bold comment. He must have enjoyed such a close relationship with the Lord Jesus that he is confident to say, “Imitate me,……. as I imitate Christ.” (1 Cor 11:1)

Actually, we should aim to say that too for it would mean that we are confident that we are living life God’s way.

To be blameless. This should be what we are striving for.