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Galatians 4:15-20 (JDV)
Galatians 4:15 Where, then, is that feeling that you were blessed? Because I testify to you that, if you were able, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me.
Galatians 4:16 So, have I become your enemy because I was truthful to you?
Galatians 4:17 They show zeal for you, but not rightly. They want to shut you out from me, so that you would show zeal for them.
Galatians 4:18 But it is always good to be shown zeal rightly – and not just when I am with you.
Galatians 4:19 My children, I am again suffering birth pains for you until Christ takes shape in you.
Galatians 4:20 I would like to be present with you right now and alter my voice, because I don’t know what to do about you.
listen to our enemies
It is hard to go from flavor of the month to enemy. It hurts to think that people who respected you and wanted to hear your teaching are now ambivalent to it and you.
Because we Christians are seriously interested in teaching about the Bible and theology, we tend to attach ourselves to those whose teachings we appreciate. No problem, except that it usually means we have to take sides. It would be good for us to be careful that in our taking sides, we do not shut out alternative views altogether. Jesus is never wrong, be we are – often.
We should hold our allegiance to Christ firmly, and our loyalty to human teachers with caution and open-mindedness.
