Galatians 4:19
“My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you.”
Paul calls them his children and takes on the role of the mother. He brought them to Christ once. They grew and were active in the faith. The interruption came with the false teachers. The Galatians abandoned the message of grace and were attempting to relate to God by keeping the law. They were off track and were in danger of being miscarried. It's as if they were back in the womb and not yet birthed.
Did they lose their salvation? No, they weren't solidly in the faith. In the parable of the sower, all the seeds showed signs of life, but only one remained. The Galatians were experiencing the life of God and were growing in excitement. But those seeds were snatched away or were in danger of being choked off. Paul is coming back and attempting life support.
Once one is in the faith, it can't be taken away. This is a wonderful security. Jesus says in John 10:28, "and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand." Psalm 3:3 says, "But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head." Arrows will come (Ephesians 6), but only that gets through that He allows. We won't get overwhelmed.
What wonderful rest this provides. We could be in the midst of tough times, but we know the Lord is with us and will bring us through. In fact, the difficulty actually has purpose. It's meant to work the character and patience of Christ within us.
Paul thought all was good with these believers. Peter gives a warning in his letter, "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour", (5:8). The devil despises God, therefore He will do anything to hurt him. Harming His children is a part of the devil's plan is how he does that. Just as he prompted Adam and Eve to sin and created a big mess, he doing it to the Galatians.
Does the devil try to create chaos for us. Probably not the devil, but one of his demons. He will seek to lie, distort, confuse and tempt us. Anything to try to bring us off the path.
Unfortunately, he isn't the only power against us. The worldly system is also against God and faith. It's entertainment wing is Hollywood. Their movies mock faith. Universities are the educational wing. They also mock faith. They want us to feel ashamed to believe and follow God.
The other power against faith is part of our own nature. We have a base side that is self willed, angry, seeks revenge, is lustful and so on. Good parenting can cleanse much of that away. The bible gives a standard of things and behavior to avoid. The Holy Spirit prompts us with guidance to keep us from those things.
Paul is writing a letter that will become scripture to intervene and rescue these sheep. The wonderful Word of God has a keeping and cleansing affect. It's referred to as food. Staying in it can make us strong and healthy. Not that it produces strength in us, but it causes us to rest and rely on the Holy One who is our strength. The bible also cleanses us. The dirt of the world and the doubt that can confuse is cleansed away as we hear and read the Word. The bible guides. The Lord uses it go keep us from evil and to point us in particular paths.
Paul is seeking to rescue these believers. The Lord will use us as well. He allows our paths to cross with those that need help. We are able to help through our testimonies. We tell of how He's helped and rescued us. That gives hope to others.
Jesus says in John 12:32, "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." Lifted up means crucified. He was and therefore He is drawing all to Himself. Like the Star Wars ships being caught in the tractor beam, so the Lord draws all to Himself. Not all comply. Some resist. He allows that, as we have free will.
Lord, thank You that You draw us to You. The Galatians were being interrupted by You through Paul and the Galatian letter. You drew us. Thank You. Help us to comply with Your leading and help us to comply with helping others.