Galatians 4:16
“So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?”
This can be the reaction to the truth. People get upset when they hear it. In this situation it means they are in error and need to change. We make our choices for reasons that we think are beneficial and comfortable.
It's like warning someone that a hurricane is coming and they need to evacuate. Some have survived them their entire lives, so they have experience that they'll be ok. However, this one could be the bad one. To persuade them is difficult. They are comfortable and this tactic has always worked.
To leave is to pack up necessities and to rent a room in a hotel. This is uncomfortable and expensive. To stay in one's own bed is much more comfortable. At times we need to be that shrieking alarm that brings them to their senses.
Proberbs 27:17 says, "Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another." The process for sharpening a blade involves the filelike tool that applies constant friction. Heat is also generated. Solomon describes the process of becoming a better person by friends and coworkers. Heat and friction will be present.
Paul was truthful. This upset the Galatians. It took them out of their comfort. They had to do some self searching. Like the one asleep and comfortable in their own bed, but in the path of the storm, so were these. Paul was shaking them and telling them they were in danger. This issue was that they had compromised the message of grace and were adopting works as a means to please God. An error that could jeopardize their faith and standing with God.
Paul was being a good friend. He spoke up with full understanding that they might get mad. This letter was an opportunity to put it all in writing. At the point of sending this letter, things were still tense. We don't know how it worked out. It would be nice to think they came to their senses. But we can't say for sure.
God used this circumstance and Paul's response to have this warning in the bible. We learn much from this letter. There is a human tendency to want to do it ourselves. That's not how it works with faith. He did it all. We have to believe and receive it. As we read this letter, we inspect ourselves as to whether we aren't relying on our works. This letter is eye opening and liberating.
We all go through faith liberation. It's rare that one accepts the message of the gospel and has it right. We all need some adjustment in our beliefs. It doesn't stop at the beginning. The Lord is often sending course corrections our way. The bible as well along with the book of Galatians are much of the words that speak to us.
There are many great verses in Galatians. One is "Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith." This verse informs us as the Laws purpose, to bring us to Christ. It often provokes guilt in us which has the effect of driving us from the Lord. But other verses speak of God's love and forgiveness and His desire to be near us. We learn that He isn't condemning and understands our failings. These truths prompt us to go against our guilt and trust in His love. The frost in us begins to thaw. Spring comes with new growth and freedom that we've never experienced. Thus a transformed life. This is what God does.
It takes courage to speak the truth. We like to live and let live. However there are times when the Lord wants us to speak to others. Sometimes the response is positive. Often we aren't present when our words bear fruit with the person making a positive change. It usually feels like rejection. We can't let that scare us from sharing. Our job is to deliver the message, not to convince them. The Holy Spirit will take care of that.
Lord, thank You that You encouraged people to share with us. You continue to do so. Help us to be that voice to others.