I plead with you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you.You have done me no wrong.As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you.Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn.Instead you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good.What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them.It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you.My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!
The truth hurts a lot of the time. It especially hurts when someone is telling you something that they see in you, that is not glorifying God. Words of correction are not always the best, and a lot of the time, we don’t receive them very well. The people in Galatia knew God, but were turning away from Him and going back to their old ways. Paul was the apostle that had to bring the truth to them. I am sure you can guess how the people of Galatia reacted towards Paul. Galatians 4:14- 16 says:
Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
So as you can see, the people of Galatia did not like the fact that Paul was being truthful. They didn’t receive it very well at all. In fact, they were pretty much ignoring what he was saying. But this isn’t what God wants. The Lord desires growth in us and the Lord desires us to be good followers of him. If there was no discipline in our life and no correction, where would we be? God disciplines those He loves.
Think about the verse and how it applies to you.
When Paul says that the people of Galatia would have torn out their eyes this is a direct reference to Jesus who says, paraphrased, if your eyes make you wonder from God pluck them out.Are you ready to pluck your eyes out, please don’t physically do this, so that you will not be distracted from the Lord?What sorts of things can cause you to be distracted?
Is there something in your life that you are more zealous for than God?If so this can alienate you from God, just as it did to the people of Galatia.
And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? (Heb 12:5-7).
So when correction and discipline come your way, embrace it, know that it is from God and God desires us to grow closer to Him and sometimes this requires the hard truth.
Process:
– Has someone ever told you the truth bluntly? Did you receive it?Do you find it hard giving a word to someone that requires being completely honest and can possibly hurt that person?Is there anyone that you need to be honest with today? If so, pray about it and then go do it.
