June 28, 2019 Galatians 4:8-16 New Living Translation (NLT) God has called me to preach and teach his Word of Truth; hearing His Word miraculously brings regenerating love to human life. By listening to the Truth, we become mature in Christ’s love (Eph. 4:15). “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right” (2 Timothy 3:16). In our passage today, the Apostle Paul was able to speak Truth to the Galatians when he first came to preach to them. They joyfully received the Word and invited the Spirit to help them live it out in love. However, in time these same Galatian Christians began to move away from the Truth; finding themselves enslaved to the world’s principles. Scripture teaches us to connect with the Living Word of God, so we can live in the Truth as God’s children. God makes the power available! Galatians 4:8-16 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,[a] 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. 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? Prayer: Father, thank you for making the power available to bring the necessary change to my life that helps me grow up in your sacrificial agape love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.