Sometimes really amazing people who would give us the shirt off their backs can sound harsh when they disagree with us. They are loving, but have an angry delivery tone when they are concerned. By the way, we can struggle in this area, too. Sometimes we may err on the side of being passively delicate [too subtle/not to the point] and sometimes we will err on the side of being undiplomatic [not able to speak without upsetting others]. There is a road to both of these responses…yet, there is a narrow pathway between them. Balancing the Truth in love is never easy.
It is not comfortable when another person challenges us [encourages us to do something different], but it may be beneficial to us. Sometimes we simply do not see the dangers of certain decisions or actions. I don’t know of anyone who enjoys being scolded or corrected, but sometimes we certainly need it. When we are confronted with the Truth by someone, we will need to make a choice to not make that individual our enemy [adversary]. Knowing the Truth is what sets us free. As his children, God always sends the Truth to bring us well-being, as well as spiritual and personal growth and many times he uses diverse people to do it.
In our passage today, the Apostle Paul has a concern—compassion with a desire to bring a positive change. So, he gives contrasting spiritual direction to the early church in Galatia. They have been listening to a legalistic leader, but Paul wants the people to remain liberated and live in the Truth. He knows they will have greater joy and freedom in the Spirit. So, he speaks into their lives in a corrective tone, but encourages them to understand he is not their enemy; he is speaking the Truth in love.
The Truth can certainly hurt, because when confronted we are presented with the opportunity to see things differently and we may not like or welcome any change. As a leader, Paul had to pursue the Truth and lead people in it, because he was accountable to God. Speaking the Truth in love is the goal for every believer. It’s not easy, but we are learning.
Galatians 4:8-20 NLT Paul’s Concern for the Galatians
8 Before you Gentiles knew God, you were slaves to so-called gods that do not even exist. 9 So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world? 10 You are trying to earn favor with God by observing certain days or months or seasons or years. 11 I fear for you. Perhaps all my hard work with you was for nothing. 12 Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to live as I do in freedom from these things, for I have become like you Gentiles—free from those laws [ceremonial].
You did not mistreat me when I first preached to you. 13 Surely you remember that I was sick when I first brought you the Good News. 14 But even though my condition tempted you to reject me, you did not despise me or turn me away. No, you took me in and cared for me as though I were an angel from God or even Christ Jesus himself. 15 Where is that joyful and grateful spirit you felt then? I am sure you would have taken out your own eyes and given them to me if it had been possible. 16 Have I now become your enemy because I am telling you the truth?
17 Those false teachers are so eager to win your favor, but their intentions are not good. They are trying to shut you off from me so that you will pay attention only to them. 18 If someone is eager to do good things for you, that’s all right; but let them do it all the time, not just when I’m with you.
19 Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives. 20 I wish I were with you right now so I could change my tone. But at this distance I don’t know how else to help you.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for reminding us today about our tone when we are sharing what’s on our hearts with others. We can believe the best about our intentions, but still hurt others. Really loving others is wanting your highest and best for them. So, help us to be tenderhearted with how we say what we need to say in order to share the Truth in our hearts. Let love be our goal and faith in the Truth be our fuel. In Jesus’ name. Amen.