"But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to enslaved all over again?" (Galatians 4:9)
Directed to the churches in Galatia, Paul is concerned with the possibility that they are being led astray from the faith by false teachings. At the center of his argument, Paul reminds them of their slavery to the sin they were once entangled in; his desire is that they not return to their previous state. Paul was in agony over the fact that they would return to their former lives of sin after they had “come to know God.” This is a powerful statement when you understand that the phrase "to know" in the Bible does not denote knowledge as much as it does experi...ence! Paul is saying, how could you possibly experience Jesus in the way that you have; how could you possibly experience His freedom from sin, only to turn around and run back to that from which you were delivered? Furthermore, Paul notes that these are "weak", worthless", and
"elemental" things. I wonder what Paul might write to the churches today? I wonder what he might write to you or me. Have you experienced the saving grace of our Lord? How then do you live your life? Do you daily return to the sinful
habits you were once enslaved to, or do you continually live out the “fruits of the Spirit”? Haven't you seen and experienced the power of God in your life? Haven't you come to know God; why then would you turn back? You have been bought with the blood of Christ! Do not get entangled with worthless things that will hold you back. Whatever you do, don't turn
back!
Rev. Karen Washington at http://www.elizabethamec.org
Directed to the churches in Galatia, Paul is concerned with the possibility that they are being led astray from the faith by false teachings. At the center of his argument, Paul reminds them of their slavery to the sin they were once entangled in; his desire is that they not return to their previous state. Paul was in agony over the fact that they would return to their former lives of sin after they had “come to know God.” This is a powerful statement when you understand that the phrase "to know" in the Bible does not denote knowledge as much as it does experi...ence! Paul is saying, how could you possibly experience Jesus in the way that you have; how could you possibly experience His freedom from sin, only to turn around and run back to that from which you were delivered? Furthermore, Paul notes that these are "weak", worthless", and
"elemental" things. I wonder what Paul might write to the churches today? I wonder what he might write to you or me. Have you experienced the saving grace of our Lord? How then do you live your life? Do you daily return to the sinful
habits you were once enslaved to, or do you continually live out the “fruits of the Spirit”? Haven't you seen and experienced the power of God in your life? Haven't you come to know God; why then would you turn back? You have been bought with the blood of Christ! Do not get entangled with worthless things that will hold you back. Whatever you do, don't turn
back!
Rev. Karen Washington at http://www.elizabethamec.org
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