Galatians 4:29
“But you are now being persecuted by those who want you to keep the law, just as Ishmael, the child born by human effort, persecuted Isaac, the child born by the power of the Spirit.”
This verse gives us more insight into those that were influencing the Galatians. Paul says in 1:6 of this same book that they were going after a different gospel. The implication was that they were pursuing something else that appealed to them. Today's verse says that they were being persecuted by these false teachers.
That's different than being attracted to something different. It reminds me of the tactics used by other religions in Africa. They would use the threat of death to convert villages. It worked, but what a horrible method. It doesn't say that these false teachers were going to those lengths. However, there methods were working. The Galatians were falling away.
There are those in our present culture that use bullying to force others comply with their wishes. It's quiets people down, but it doesn't change hearts.
John 15:18 says, "If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first." Part of the reason Satan tempted Adam and Eve was his hatred for God and His ways. He and his demons are at war with God. The world doesn't know it, or they wouldn't admit to it, but they hate God's ways, thus they hate God. They claim that His ways are intolerant and they ridicule those that have them.
Those that are persecuting the Galatians are in the awkward spot of being opposed to God. They think the opposite. They are promoting an earlier, but temporary phase of God's plan, to be justified by the law. Their nostalgia for this won't allow them to recognize the final step in His plan, salvation through Christ's sacrifice. Thus, they are in opposition to the God they think they are serving.
Those who accept Christ will feel opposition. 2 Timothy 3:12 says, "And all also desiring to live piously in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Some are convicted by Christlike living and instead of repenting, they persecute. Others offer ridicule out of ignorance. I Peter 4:4 says, "Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you."
How are we to deal with this? In Acts 5:41, the apostles were reprimanded for preaching in Jesus name. Here was their response, "So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name." We should do the same. We may have some negative emotions. We shouldn't rest in those. With the eyes of faith, we should give thanks. The Lord understands rejection. He knows we feel hurt. But we are on the best team. The apostles felt honored to be in a similar situation as Jesus.
To live for Christ, knowing we may suffer persecution requires courage. This is a reason some don't come to Christ. They don't want to offend anyone. But to be in alliance with the Lord is better. This is what Jesus says if we are questioned about our alliance to Him, “But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say", (Matthew 10:19). There are always things to worry about. Jesus tells us not to. Give those concerns to Him.
Lord, help us to be courageous in our living for You. Help us to have the attitude of the apostles and be honored to be associated with You. Give us the faith to have such an attitude. Thank You in advance.