Galatians 4:17
“They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them.”
Paul was referring to the judaizers. They were one of the first christian cults. They sought to make their followers include the keeping of the Law along with faith in Christ. Like most cults, they want to expand their numbers. But Paul gives a hint about the manipulative practice of cults. They want to get their followers to seek them. They want to create an unhealthy dependency within their followers.
When it comes to religions, people can be vulnerable. There already exists a tendency towards guilt. To avoid the pain of guilt, people will go far. There is also the natural desire to be right with God. He created that within us. The cultist are taking these two parts of people and exploiting them.
The Lord compared people to sheep. He created us with needs. On some level we need a shepherd. One to guide us safely to food and safety. God is the good shepherd. He wants to fulfill that role with us. Psalm 23 is completely dedicated to describing how He is our shepherd. Here are some of the things described there in: we won't want, lye down in green pastures, leads us besides the still waters, He restores our soul, guides our path in righteousness, goodness and mercy follows us, He's with us when going through dark paths, He takes away fear, His rod and staff comfort us, He prepares an honor banquet for us, He anoints our head with oil, our cup runs over, we will dwell in His house forever. He does much for us.
This list is so great, it's overwhelming to think someone cares for us so much that He would do all of that. Who would turn down that offer, if it was known. A mother cares much for her child. She wants him to succeed, to be liked and so on. This mother love gives us a hint how much God loves us. But it falls far short. It's not possible for a human to love that much nor can a human provide all that care. God can and does for all that follow Him.
Being sheep, we are vulnerable. Partially because we want a shepherd. Some reach out to others that don't have the best intentions. The judaizers in today's passage sought to manipulate and control. There are bad people are all over society. Some real harmful ones are drug dealers. The give drugs away only with the intent of creating an addict. Thus they have a customer for life.
Some of the most vulnerable among us are widows and orphans. God speaks of them often in scripture. He commands the church and those who can to look out for them. He also warns the predators to avoid them as God sees. Jesus said in Matthew 23:14, "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation."
Those that prey on people will receive punishment from the Lord. Jesus says it's greater damnation. Informing us that in the next life there are levels of punishment. Those that abuse weaker ones qualify for that. The judaizers in today's passage are guilty of that. They are taking God's children and leading them away from God and into practices that frustrate them and diminish their relationship with God, if not kill it.
The Galatians don't know it, but this accessory that they are adding to their faith will choke it off. The fellowship they had with the Lord will be greatly hindered. With that the peace, joy and fulfillment will evaporate. The devil wins a victory when this happens.
It's with great difficulty that those who have been led astray are restored to the right path. People are self governing and need to make that choice for themselves. We can be a good example and offer support. Some are very persuasive with words and can aid in convincing them.
God is a factor who works in our defense. He is ever seeking to bring all to Him. Just as the pull of a magnet is constant, so is His effort to bring us to Him. We either yield to this or oppose it. Those that cooperate with Him grow closer to Him. Those that resist Him, grow dull of hearing so they can no longer recognize His efforts.
Lord, help us to be those who can aid in bringing others Your message and Your hope. Help us to be guarded against those who would lead us astray. Help us to listen to and follow Your leading. Thank You for all You do for us.