The influences of this world turn people cold against Jesus Christ and Christians.

Galatians 4:12-16

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“Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all.” Galatians 4:12

For the Galatians to become like Paul refers to them giving up living by the laws of Judaism, like Paul himself did. Paul was a Pharisee of all Pharisees and on his way up in the power hierarchy of Judaism. Paul gave up all of the privileges and prestige of being an influential Pharisee to become just like the Galatians, and anyone else who is born-again through Jesus Christ. He placed himself on their level, being one with them in the name of Jesus, and they did not injure his reputation at all. Paul had no complaint whatsoever against the Galatians.

Paul is essentially saying through the Holy Spirit, that we are all one in Jesus Christ, “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:26-29

 “You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.” Galatians 4:13-14

Paul first preached the Gospel to the Galatians when he was suffering a physical illness. At some point, Paul became sick, and it was necessary for him to layover with the Galatians until he recovered. The Galatians received him warmly as if he were an angel, or Christ Jesus Himself.

Paul used his circumstances, even in his sickness, to share his born-again experience, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is also something we are to do: To make the most of every opportunity to share the Gospel of Christ, which is to share how Christ changed our heart, mind, and soul.

“What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” Galatians 4:15-16

For the Galatians, there was no material or financial blessing when caring for Paul in his time of sickness. What they did was purely from their heart and they felt blessed to hear the words Paul spoke to them [through the Holy Spirit] of God’s grace and mercy through Jesus Christ. Their blessing came through the riches of God through Jesus Christ, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ…” Ephesians 1:3

Without any other motivation, other than the Spirit of Christ living in their heart, the Galatians would have given their own eyes to Paul, they were that compassionate, generous, and caring. However, after that time with Paul, the powerful leaders of Judaism turned the Galatians against Paul and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Now, the Galatians treated Paul as an enemy, rejected the mercy and grace of God given through Jesus Christ, and oppressed the presence of the Holy Spirit.

As born-again Christians, we realize the world is changing and the Gospel of Jesus Christ [the witness of the born-again experience] is scarce. There is an entity that has power over physiology to influence what we feel and think to direct what we say and do. This atheistic entity opposes belief in God, scoffs at the need for Jesus Christ, and oppresses the Holy Spirit. Love has grown cold in this world, and as Christians we want to shy away from being spiteful, hateful, and uncaring, as much as we possibly can. “…because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved…” Matthew 24:12-13

“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11