SATURDAY March 6, 2021

Received and Rejected

Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
Galatians 4:12-14

Paul addressed the Galatian believers as Brethren. Notice how endearing and kind he was toward them. He knew that the brethren, by straying away from God’s grace, were injuring themselves.

As an Apostle, Paul reminded the Galatians that life had not been that easy for him. Every day, Paul had it rough! It is believed Paul had an infirmity, an eye disease. He could not see clearly. Sometimes Paul had someone else write for him because of his poor eyesight. Paul’s physical appearance was described as short, with a hooked nose and a hunched back. He had all these physical infirmities which were well-known to the Galatians. Yet God continued to use Paul tremendously.

When Paul first met the Galatians, they received him as if he was an angel of God; others received him as they would receive Jesus Christ! That is how much they loved him! Paul had diligently fed the Galatians with the Word of God; he cared for them and fellowshipped with them. God’s desire was to use the Galatians, too!

Sadly, the Galatians had turned against Paul. They had been swept away by Judaizers––false teachers who influenced them to a gospel of works, not a Gospel of grace. Paul was disgusted. His little children in the faith had been brainwashed by these Judaizers, and now they had turned against their own teacher.

It really hurts when someone you love turns against you. They no longer like you. Now they are talking about you, condemning you, misjudging you, and damning you. It is so difficult to understand, but we press on.

Rejection is the sand in the oyster, the irritant that ultimately produces the pearl.
~Burke Wilkinson~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!