Paul reproves the hearers
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to beings that by nature are not gods. Now, however, that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly elemental spirits? How can you want to be enslaved to them again? You are observing special days, and months, and seasons, and years. I am afraid that my work for you may have been wasted.
Friends, I beg you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong. You know that it was because of a physical infirmity that I first announced the gospel to you; though my condition put you to the test, you did not scorn or despise me, but welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. What has become of the goodwill you felt? For I testify that, had it been possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? They make much of you, but for no good purpose; they want to exclude you, so that you may make much of them. It is good to be made much of for a good purpose at all times, and not only when I am present with you. My little children, for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, I wish I were present with you now and could change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
Reflection
Paul was doing the hard thing here. He was telling some people that he loved, that they were turning the wrong way, they were turning back to sinful life and falling into the trap. There is a time to be nice to one another, but if we truly love one another, there should also be times when we are willing to tell those we love that they have turned in the wrong direction and are about to be trapped once again in sin, selfishness, greed, lust, or any of those sinful desires of the flesh.
Sometimes we are just too nice to each other to speak boldly. Sometimes this love if spoken out of judgment could be a sin in itself. So, first, be humble as Paul was humble, then show them the error and help them through it by being present with the person if at all possible.
Paul was doing the hard thing here, but Jesus in his gracious love was working through Paul along with the Spirit to make the message clear.
Now it's up to me or you to take the action needed to walk with Jesus, or walk with Paul, towards that cross together with God's call, and God's plan in action ... today...tomorrow...and forever...Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Lord, speak to me in words and through people that I can understand my sin and remove the scales from my eyes that cause me to walk away from you. Lord, pull my hand to you and correct me, forgive me and lead me to that cross, on the path you would have me take. --- Amen
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