December 29, 2002

I AM AFRAID OF YOU...

Galatians 4:11

   "Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain" (Galatians 4:10-11). Paul's fear was not "of" them, but "for" them, and that his labor evangelizing them might go for nothing. He recalled their background "when [they] knew not God, [they] did service to them who by nature are not gods. But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?" (4:8-9).

   After being brought out of the darkness of idolatry, these believers allowed themselves to be influenced by Judaizers to the extent that they began to practice circumcision and observing Moses' Law. Paul likened their turning to the law with the bondage of idolatry by saying, "ye desire again to be in bondage." Paul marveled that they had so "soon been removed from...the grace of Christ to another gospel" (1:6), which was not really another gospel of the same kind. Of those who brought this "other gospel," Paul wrote twice, "let him be accursed" (1:8,9). Let us list other statements of Paul to these churches.

   "O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth...?" (3:1); "Are you so foolish, having begun in the spirit..." (3:3); "I desire to be present with you...and to change my voice, for I stand in doubt of you. Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?" (4:20-21). "Christ is become of no effect to you who...are justified by the law: You are fallen from grace" (5:4). "This persuasion does not come from Him Who called you" (5:8). "...if you bite and devour one another, take heed..." (5:15). He spoke of those "who desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they desire you to be circumcised...that they may glory in your flesh. But God forbid that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom the world is crucified unto me and I unto the world" (6:12-14). Judaism with its God-ordained "days, and months and times and years" is now likened to idolatry! What a tragedy to put oneself under the law, after having been first called to God by the wonderful gospel of His matchless grace. This is no small departure!

Ivan L. Burgener