Thoughts From Galatians 4 - Part 2

  Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11 I fear for you, that somehow, I have wasted my efforts on you.   Gal. 4:8-11

        There was a character in Andy Griffith by the name of Otis that would enter the police station at night, find the jail keys, and lock himself up on the charge of public intoxication. He could have been free, but he chose drunkenness over freedom. What is it that steals your freedom because frankly don't we all have a master? Success, money, career, sports, fame, power, sex, body, - we recently sat next to a couple at church we hadn't seen for a while that had so much work to combat aging that we didn't even recognize them. As we hand out Christmas presents and hear new year's resolutions, you can also get a feel for what people are in danger of being enslaved to.

       What did Paul want us getting enslaved to? The only good Master that will enslave you and leave you better for it - Jesus. He will want all of you but in return give you love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness and temperance and hope for living.

      In this passage, and I've had experience with this with a friend going back into Adventism, Paul is saying, "You were free to eat whatever you wanted. Those unclean laws had a purpose but now they're obsolete because Jesus is here. Why do you want to keep avoiding bacon?" And Paul is saying, "You know it's okay to get a caffeinated drink at Starbucks if you want." And he is saying, "Pathways Church meets on Wednesday nights if you are finding yourself on the Sunday work schedule." He's also saying, "I like that tent you got for Christmas, but you don't have to celebrate the feast of booths anymore. Why not take the family to the Lake instead." The Galatians had climbed back into that jail cell of the Law because, like our dog climbing inside her cage, they felt comfort, safety, and oddly - freedom in it. Paul is telling them, "Don't you understand how crazy that is?"

            Go all in on Jesus. You might think, "I'm slave to no one", but that's not true. You are at least slave to yourself, and God cares for you, believe it or not, more than you do. He died for you, after all.