Galatians 3:26-4:20

Galatians 3:26-4:20 (New International Version)
Sons of God 26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 4 1What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. 4But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[a] Father.” 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
Paul’s Concern for the Galatians 8Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. 12I plead with you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong. 13As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. 14Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. 15What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. 18It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you. 19My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!
Devotional by Stephanie Hawkins
When reading this scripture you can really feel Paul’s frustration towards the Galatians. He’s really having a hard time understanding why the Galatians have reverted back to some of their old sins and why they have allowed other people to affect them and lose their eagerness to serve God. Especially since he spend a lot of time with them and has seen first-hand their excitement in being Christ’s children.
This really made me reflect on myself and when I tend to lose sight of God’s purpose for me and allow others to control my mood, lose my joy and excitement for Christ. It always tends to lie right at the middle/end of week when I have been out of church for a few days and small group night has pasted but it is so important to keep that same excitement for Christ through the entire week so others can see God’s love through us. I always need to remind myself that my joy and worth doesn’t rely in all that is going on around but it lies in Christ alone.
Prayer:
God, as we reach the middle of the week please help keep your love in the middle of all our hearts. Let us not forget our joy for you and allow others to see your love and grace through us. Amen