Day 930: Truth that transforms - Galatians 4 vs 12 - 20

12 Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. 13-15 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. What then has become of the blessing you felt? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?

17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. 18-19 It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! 20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. Galatians 4:12-20 English Standard Version

Truth is wonderful. It has the ability to change lives for the better. What was the apostle Paul longing to see happen in the lives of these Galatian people as he painstakingly spoke the truth of God's message to them? (vs 18-19)

He wanted to see them growing in the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ. In another letter Paul described how this 'growing to be like Christ' takes place. He said that Jesus gave the Church apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers “to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. Then we'll no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11- 15)

The important phrase there is “speaking the truth in love”. Truth can be uncomfortable because it may call us to face up to, and deal with, things that are wrong in our life. But when we realize that the person speaking such truth to us is doing it from the motive of genuine love, it becomes much easier to take to heart. Did you pick up in vs 13-15 the amazing love that had grown between Paul and the people he had taken the gospel to?

We don't know the details, but his words imply that a serious eye ailment Paul suffered had led to his contact with the Galatians, and to his ever readiness to share the gospel wherever he was, and in whatever state of health he was. And they had responded with overwhelming warmth and affection. How amazing are are those words where he says “if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me!” But, sadly, there is another possible outcome of speaking truth, even in love. What is that? (vs 16)

I said earlier that truth can be uncomfortable. We see here that truth can be so uncomfortable that it can make former friends think we are now an enemy! This is because truth may challenge things in our life that are going in the wrong direction. Human nature is such that we don't like being told when we are wrong. But what is the danger of people who never challenge us and only tell us things we want to hear? (vs 17)

They are thinking of themselves. They want us to think well of them. So they rather use flattering words, even dishonest words, to make them look good. In the case of the Galatians, false teachers had turned them against Paul and made out that he did not have their interests at heart.

This is an important issue. In the letter to Christians at Ephesus, Paul went on to say: “having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbour, for we are members one of another.” (Ephesians 4:25) ‘Neighbour’ doesn't need to be just people next door, or only those at Church. We must speak truth 'to one another', including family members. Husbands and wives should speak truth to each other, and to in-laws as well. Yes, it can be uncomfortable but, if done in love, it can be richly blessed of God, and transform lives.