Scripture Text: Galatians 4:8-11
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?
Galatians 4:9
We all know the song and the story behind "I have decided to follow Jesus", which spoke about the devotion of a true Christian. It was a story that will remind us that once we are called, there should be no going back. Of course, this will only be possible because Christ is our strength. Drifting back or away was never an option to a true-called Christian.
Gentile people from Galatians were reminded of who they were before they were a follower of Christ. They were idolatrous. Celtic people and their religions are closely tied to the natural world such as worship to the moon and sun and belief in the supernatural forces around which was contrary to what the Bible and Apostle Paul is teaching. Paganism during these times were widely spread and these people were entangled by these false beliefs and gods, but they were rescued by God from idolatry and now believes only in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Now that these people have heard and known Christ, they should move forward and march their way to living their lives devoted to Christ and His teaching. However, Apostle Paul called out these people for he feared that they may go back to their former slavery, believing in the false gods and idols. New generation Christians might not see this since most of us were born in a Christian community, but idolatry does not necessarily mean specific gods from religion, but rather, anything or anyone that goes first in our lives apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. This what Apostle Paul was saying—the fear of going back to what we were once before we were redeemed by Christ. This is impossible for a set-apart Christian to go back to His wicked ways (Hebrews 6:4). Christ empowered us to endure and to continually be sanctified through His word by the Spirit. Never does a true Christian completely drift back nor drift away from the Lord. Apostle Paul also addressed the observance of unnecessary days from paganism practices of the Gentile Galatians which is not relevant to their new faith in Christ and Apostle Paul does not want them to go back to them.
Reflect
1. Have we left all the unbiblical philosophies and knowledge that we have when we are still in this world?
2. Did we turn our backs completely from these worldly thinking, knowing that this will corrupt us? 3. Are we having our minds renewed by the Spirit through the word of God and letting ourselves be transformed day by day to be His proper people?
Remember
When we have been called by God, it means that we are to follow Him until our last breath. Leaving the past behind and looking to Jesus alone and no other else knowing that drifting back will only cause us pain and will grieve the Spirit. No reason is valid for drifting away from God and His will.
Read
Hebrews 6:1-8; Romans 12:1-2
Pray
Father, I beg of You to protect me and not allow me to draw back from where You have rescued me. Let not my sin entangle me once again. Guard my weak heart and feeble mind which I can never trust. Help me and guide me in living, unstained with the corrupted values of this world from the inside out, so I can live my life devoted to You.
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