Galatians 3&4

 Paul’s tone as he writes, or perhaps as he recites these words to a scribe for the Galatians, is strong and firm. It may come across as unyielding. Yet, it’s essential to recognize that he’s speaking to two groups: the Jewish believers, who by their actions risk making Christ’s death seem of no effect, and the Gentile believers, who are being led astray by this message.


Paul, though firm, is aware that his words might be misunderstood. That’s why he says tenderly, *“My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!”* (Galatians 4:19-20). He longs to be physically present so they can feel his heart, sense his concern, and understand his tone. He doesn’t want his words to be misinterpreted.


The limitations of a letter can lead to misread emotions. Does an exclamation mark signal anger, or is it a mark of his urgency? Is a question meant to be answered or simply to stir reflection? Paul’s wish to be with them speaks to his desire for his tone to be truly understood—not as harsh, but as one deeply caring, a shepherd’s heart burdened for his flock.


While we may never fully know Paul’s tone, it feels clear that he deeply desires his readers to grasp and experience the grace of God. His goal is not condemnation but transformation, a heartfelt desire for them to live in the freedom of Christ.


This challenges me, too, to adopt a posture of gentle correction in ministry. Like Paul, I’m reminded that even if I see errors, I must communicate with love and sensitivity. Sometimes, transformation happens not just because of what we say but because of how we say it. May God help me to carry this tender approach forward.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

When the firstborn dies.

Image
Everything Changes When a Firstborn Dies. Today, I found myself reflecting on ancient Egypt—specifically, during the reign of the Pharaoh who didn’t know Joseph (Exodus 1:8). It was a time of great power, but also of great sorrow, especially when things took a tragic turn. Now, you might know the story, but let's revisit it a bit. Joseph, the shepherd boy and his father’s favorite, found himself in a bit of a pickle. His brothers, tired of his dreams and his fancy coat, sold him off to some merchants. These merchants then sold Joseph as a slave in Egypt. Fast forward a few years, and our boy Joseph had climbed the ranks in Egypt, from slave to leader. He was well-known, respected, and even had a family. Then, a severe drought struck, and Egypt, under Joseph’s brilliant management, became the region’s breadbasket. It’s said that the grain stores were so full that they stopped keeping records (Genesis 41:49). This abundance attracted people from all over, including Joseph’s own...
Read more

Full year BRG - Canonical

Image
Key Tips for Success Consistency Over Perfection: If you miss a day, don’t give up. Use the lighter weekends to catch up. Break It Down: Split the daily chapters into smaller portions (e.g., morning and evening readings). Use Audio Bibles: If you're too tired to read, listen to the chapters while driving, cooking, or relaxing. Journal Your Journey: Note one insight or question per day to deepen understanding and engagement. Accountability Groups: Form a small Bible study group to stay motivated and share reflections. - Week 1 (Jan 1–7):   Mon: Genesis 1–4     Tue: Genesis 5–8     Wed: Genesis 9–12     Thu: Genesis 13–16     Fri: Genesis 17–20     Sat: Genesis 21–22     Sun: Genesis 23–24   - Week 2 (Jan 8–14):   Mon: Genesis 25–28     Tue: Genesis 29–32     Wed: Genesis 33–36     Thu: Genesis 37–40     Fri: Genesis 41–4...
Read more

Praying for the physically ill.

Image
Whenever we have a loved one not feeling well, admitted in hospital or maybe even in a critical condition according to the medics, prayer can become hard. We get to a point of prayer fatigue (I first heard that term from a friend called Sarah) and if things are not handled well, we may end up praying amiss as James describes it. I have highlighted the WE sections to emphasize the value of prayer of unity. However, if you're praying while alone, you still are not alone. Believers pray in the company of other believers seen or unseen. That's why our Lord taught us to pray "our father" and not my father. We're never alone in the place of prayer. May this guide help you pray for yourself, your loved one, friend or a friend to a friend. Pray in the spirit and with understanding. 1. Praying for God's Will to Be Done In Mark 1:40-42, a man with leprosy came to Jesus and said, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus responded, "I am willing....
Read more