Galatians 4:11
“I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.”
Paul has a real concern for the Galatians. He visited them on one of his missionary journeys. A church was established and they were growing in the faith. However, some came along and persuaded them to change their beliefs.
This change was the reason for this letter. They had altered the purity of the gospel for something that was more works based. Paul is worried about them.
How much can one alter the gospel and still be a christian? That's a tough question. I've heard it said about how we are to view other churches, "In the essentials unity, in the nonessentials diversity and in all things charity." The question is, is this an essential? Is so, then this is a christian cult. It may be that as Paul says in Galatians 1:6,7, "I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ."
Several phrases in here are concerning: the first is "deserting him". Paul says they are deserting God. The second is "a different gospel" and the third is "which is really not another". All of these don't sound inclusive. The fact that this is in the bible tells us that diverting from the purity of the gospel is to be guarded against.
Paul is worried on several levels. He's concerned for them as individuals, but he's also worried that these could propagate this false message. Error can spread like wild fire. Paul was hoping to restore his beloved Galatians to the faith as well as squashing the furtherance of apostasy.
Do we have a similar responsibility towards others? Later in Galatians 6:1, Paul says, "Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted." Yes, we are to speak into one another's lives. The way we do it is important. It’s to be done in a spirit of gentleness. We aren’t to bulldoze ourselves into the conversation. They would certainly get defensive and we may ostracize them. We aren’t to gossip about them. However, to check in with other mature believers or church elders might be a good idea (Matthew 18:15-17).
In the 6:1 passage, he also says we should “look to ourselves, lest we be tempted”. John Bradford said, “But for the grace of God, there go I”. I Corinthians 15:10 shares a similar sentiment. The point is we stand because God’s power allows us to. It may feel like it’s our own strength, but it’s not. The Lord has orchestrated many circumstances for the present reality to be. We have no idea how much He is involved. That’s why we aren’t to arrogantly correct people. Our good standing is not our doing. It’s God’s.
I realize this is very uncomfortable. However, it’s care in action. One may be asleep in a burning building. That person may be initially upset that we awakened them. However, it’s obvious it was the right thing to do. Matters of faith and eternity aren’t as obvious as a burning building, but in the spiritual realm, it’s just as real.
Some may feel this is none of my business or would prefer to “live and let live”. In the family of faith, sometimes it is our business and the Lord wants us to speak up.
Someone may have courageously shared the gospel with us. Without them some of us may not be christians. That person risked a bad response from us. Yet they proceeded. They were obedient.
Lord, thank You for those that shared with us. Help us to be that person to others. Also let it be clear when it’s time to speak and give us the courage.