Galatians 4 - speaking the truth in love

Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth? (Galatians 4:16)

These words left a buzzing feeling in me after reading them.

From what we have read from verses 12 to 15, Apostle Paul apparently had quite a good relationship with the believers at Galatia. In fact, it was such a intimate one that they were even willing to pluck out their own eyes for Paul (Gal 4:15)!

Yet, when they faced issues concerning the truth, we see that even close ties can come to nothing.

Which, in a way, is good, because we should never use relationships to decide the Truth.

In this context, however, we see how sometimes the Truth may hurt and cause even those we were once so close with to depart from us.

There will be times when someone close to us has made a mistake and we will be wondering if we should be frank with the person, and how to.

Sometimes, the closer you are to the person, the harder it is to open your mouth. We all like status quo - what if it ruins our current friendship?

But the Bible exhorts us to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).

The outcome of that? The church will grow and be built up in love (Ephesians 4:16).

I believe Apostle Paul had that in mind when he wrote the epistle to correct their wrong teachings.

It was not easy to rebuke someone close like that.

But when we do it in love, then we have no worries. Because we are not doing it to feed our pride, but we are doing it, knowing that we are only trying to do our part to build up the Body of Christ in love.

Speak the truth.
In love,
and Humility.

---------------
I particularly had new insights with regards to Galatians 4:21-31. I like how Paul used the two covenants to bring across his point that the law cannot save but, rather, bind us.

Galatians 3

Have you suffered so many things in vain - if indeed it was in vain? (Galatians 3:4)

The galatians were returning to the law, thinking that by their works they can receive justification.

They have forsook the freedom in Christ Jesus and brought themselves back into bondage.

Paul called it "the curse of the law" (Galatians 3:13).

These people had witnessed the Crucifixion.

These people had heard, and had faith, experienced miracles, and received the Holy Spirit.

Yet, they are now going back to square one - relying on the works of the law for justification and demanding that others do the same.

And so Paul asked them, "Have you suffered so much for nothing?"

It must have not been easy to be a Christian then.

Why then have they gone through all the sufferings and persecutions as followers of Christ only to annul all of it?

Paul is using logical reasoning here.

If the law can save, then we won't need Christ to die for us (Galatians 3:21-22).

The law only made our transgressions even more obvious (Romans 7:7, 13), but it did not make them more righteous.

They needed Christ.

We need Him today too.

Have you suffered so much for nothing?

It is not easy to be a Christian today as well.

I am sure that behind everyone of us, there lies a marvelous story of grace and love. But what lies ahead is still unknown, and most probably filled with difficulties because we all know that the door is narrow.

So hang in there. Because if you give up now, your sufferings would have been in vain.

But your suffering was not in vain.

Because His eyes are on you, and He knows.

Hang in there.

He is coming soon.