The Book Of Galatians Chapter 4 Part 3 Guard Against Spiritual Regression

Genuine concern that the Galatians were leaving Christ for the law.

Galatians 4:8-11  Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. 9)  But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? 10)  Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. 11)  I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain. 

The real issue with following Judaism is that the Gentiles were required to keep all the ceremonies, sacrifices and circumcision that the law demanded.

Paul has stressed often that the law cannot save anyone. It cannot impute righteousness to anyone. 

It can only impute condemnation because we are sinners by nature.

The gospel declares that by faith in Jesus Christ, God declares a repentant sinner to be righteous and fully pardoned in His sight. 

This is because Jesus is our sinless substitute, who lived a perfect life according to the law of God. 

He willingly offered Himself to die in our place on a cross.

Christ is the perfect fulfillment of all the different sacrifices that Israel offered during the Old Testament.

This is why Jesus suffered in our place as the wrath of God against our sins was poured out on Him.

This is why Jesus died in our place receiving the wages of our sins which is death.

This is why Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to His heavenly Father, so that when we believe on Him for salvation, God can declare us justified in His sight. 

Christ's suffering, death and resurrection are fully sufficient for our salvation and forgiveness of our sins. 

God the Father is satisfied by the sacrifice of His Son and He will save each person who hears the gospel, repents and confesses their sins to Him and calls upon Jesus to save them.

Jesus Christ's eternal sacrifice ended the sacrifices or ceremonies of the law.

Romans 10:1-4  Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2)  For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3)  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4)  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 

Paul's heart was that his Jewish nation would be saved. They had a zeal and passion for God but it was not according to the gospel of Christ.

Instead, through Judaism, they sought to establish their own righteousness by circumcision, law keeping and sacrifice.

Thus, they have not submitted themselves to exercising repentant faith in Christ as the gospel commands all nations to do.

Notice the force of Paul's declaration to the church at Rome. This is the message he is trying to help the Galatians understand.

Christ is the end of the law. No man will ever perfectly obey the law of God. We do not have that capability in us due to the sin nature we all inherit from Adam.

Jesus' Father is God and the blood in His veins did not come from Adam's sin tainted blood. The blood that Christ shed for us is called the blood of God (See Acts 20:28).

Therefore, it is a terrible regression from faith in Christ when they sought to keep the law, its ceremonies and sacrifices.

They left faith in Christ which grants all Christians a bold entrance into the presence of God to obtain help and mercy and grace in our times of need.

Instead, they sought to impose the priests as their mediator and to offer animals as a sacrifice for their sins.

They turned from resting in Jesus Christ's finished redemptive work on the cross to the old covenant that God did away with.

Christ is the end of the law for all who repent and believe on Him.

Galatian Christians who strayed from Christ regressed and hurt themselves.

Galatians 4:12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all. 

The words "Be as I am" means that Paul was thoroughly committed to the Christian faith and worship, from the deepest conviction of gospel truth. 

He longed for the Galatian Christians to have the same intense love of Christ that he had.

The Galatians had not hurt Paul as they defected from the true faith in Christ and His gospel. 

They only hurt themselves and put their souls in jeopardy because the just shall live by faith in Christ not by keeping the law.

They began well as gospel light transformed their hearts.

Galatians 4:13-15  Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. 14)  And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15)  Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. 

Paul reminded them that he gladly preached the gospel to them even though he suffered from an unnamed physical malady. 

From these texts many think that Paul suffered from a disease that affected his eyes. 

Whatever Paul suffered from, the Galatians did not shun or avoid him because of it. 

Instead, as gospel light from Paul's preaching entered their hearts, they gladly received the gospel and had a high view of the apostle.

Paul challenged those who were following the law. 

Where is that blessedness that you once had? 

Where is that love of Christ, love of God and love for me that you previously had?

Paul mentions that if it were possible Christians at Galatia would have plucked out their own eyes if that would help Paul's infirmity.

Spiritual regression harms the heart and breaches relationship with God.

Galatians 4:16-18  Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? 17)  They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. 18)  But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

Paul continues to plead with the Galatians to return to Christ and His life changing gospel. He asks them if he is now their enemy because he is telling them truth from God.

Judaizers had a misplaced zeal for God that led them astray and now they were leading Galatians astray. 

Judaizers had a negative impact upon the spiritual life of those who listened to their false teaching.

Judaizers sought to break connection that the Galatians had with Paul when he first preached the gospel of Christ to them. They had to do this in order to introduce false teaching. 

A zealous affection with the right focus is  commendable, as shown by our Lord Jesus Christ and His Spirit guided apostles. 

A contrary spirit is contentious and should be avoided.

Have a right focus by setting our affection on things above where Christ is enthroned with His Father. 

Have a right focus by setting our affection on heavenly things rather than worldly things.

Galatians 4:19-20  My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, 20)  I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. 

Paul calls them "my little children" showing his strong love and affection for them. He points out their tenderness in the faith, and that spiritual light and knowledge they received from the gospel.

Paul also points out that he had been used by God as an instrument of their conversion, and was their spiritual parent.

Paul had strong doubts about their spiritual standing in light of them following false teachers. 

It is a sad commentary that people who began with a good profession of faith in Christ, so quickly fell away into false teaching.

It is a sober reminder to all believers in Christ that we must read and learn His Word. We must daily anchor our soul to Christ our Savior.

Bob