Freedom — As a Son – Thursday
TODAY’S VERSE
Galatians 4:8-9
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? (ESV)
Do you like games? I like games so much that I have been dubbed the “Games Guy” on our Southland staff. Whether it’s organizing pickleball tournaments, introducing groups to new card games, or inventing a whole new competition titled The Orbs of Holiday Spirit: Frozen Tundra for Winter Retreat Holiday Wars. If you need help, I've got games.
And while I love organizing, officiating, and playing games… other people don’t always love me when I organize, officiate, and play games. I have certainly been known to get a little “zealous.” I believe rules are essential for a game to be played properly and that those rules need to be understood (by thoroughly reading the rulebook), communicated clearly (at times loudly), and enforced properly (without mercy). These strong beliefs have certainly made me a few enemies over the years in the battlegrounds of game night. I like to think I’m a little bit like Paul in my zeal for my beliefs, albeit his passions are more pure than mine sometimes are.
Paul’s writing is always laced with passion and conviction, but in Galatians he takes it to a whole new level. He is fired up, and he is incensed! In the same way, I can’t understand why people think there is a “bust rule” in cornhole (sidenote: The ACA clearly states a victory is achieved by 21 or more points). Paul cannot get his mind around the Galatians going back to their old ways. He claims these believers, who at one point trusted him so much they’d “gouge out their eyes” for him, are letting false teachers steal their freedom. In verse 20, he states, “I wish I could be present now and change my tone.” Paul wants his audience to feel his frustration so that they will repent and return to freedom.
I think we all wrestle with turning back to the slavery of our old selves. The pre-Jesus version of ourselves that was seemingly happy to chase the “worthless elementary principles of the world.” But that doesn’t have to be our story. We are known by God, as Paul says. We can meet this God who is willing to know us and allow Him to continually transform us in the process called sanctification.
Find your Paul-like zeal. Not for the silly things of this world, but for the freedom that God desires for you!
APPLICATION
Who in your life is willing to call you out as Paul does? Who have you asked to hold you accountable in that way? One of the best ways to find people like that is in a group! Go to southland.church/groups to find biblical community.
PRAYER
God, I confess that I still struggle with being a slave to my old ways. I repent of this sin and turn back to You! Give me the strength to passionately pursue You and place people in my life to join me in this pursuit.