Speaking the Truth in Love
Have I Become Your Enemy?
Many times when a person is told the truth on a matter, his reaction is to treat that person, who was once a good friend, as an enemy. In Galatians 4:16, Paul says, “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” Paul is trying to correct error that has come into the churches of Galatia. Some have been teaching that the Gentiles must still keep the law (i.e., the OT law). He describes what has happened as the brethren “turning away… to a different gospel’ (Galatians 1:6). He continues to say that there are some who “want to pervert (or distort) the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:7). Paul continues to show how Christ fulfilled the OT law and that being under the NT is better. He says by trying to be justified by the law, this would put all under the bondage of the OT law once again. He points out to them that this type of thinking even led Peter and Barnabus into hypocrisy by treating the Gentiles with prejudice in chapter 2 verses 11-17. He further points out that he died to the OT law that he might live to God in Galatians 2:19. In chapter 3 verse 1 he calls them “foolish Galatians” because they have been bewitched (or tricked) into not obeying the truth. He continues to tell them the purpose of the OT law was to act as a “tutor” (verse 24) to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Paul calls this justification by faith “the law of Christ” in Galatians 6:2. Hopefully this background sets the stage for our study tonight.
Let us now read Galatians 3:26 – 4:16. Paul teaches that those who are Christ’s are now sons and heirs of the promises of Abraham and how foolish it would be to want to then turn around and become slaves of the OT law again. He also points out how the Galatians had at first had such a good attitude by receiving the truth, the gospel that he preached. He says they “received me as an angel (or messenger) of God, even as Christ Jesus” in Galatians 4:14, but they have changed. Now the one whom they had once received as a messenger of God, has become their enemy because he is telling them the truth (Galatians 4:16).
The fact of the matter is that Paul was still teaching the same liberating gospel of Christ. The law of Christ liberated all from keeping the OT law. Today we still have people who want to hold to the OT law and even want to keep the 10 Commandments. However the OT law was done away with when Christ died on the cross (Colossians 2:11-23). The gospel of Christ also justified them in a way that the old law could never do (Galatians 3:11-14). To be sons of Abraham they needed (and we need this too) to leave the OT law and become a Son of God through faith in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26-27). Paul was teaching the same gospel he had taught before, but now they did not want to hear the truth. They wanted to make Paul seem as though now he was their enemy. Now lets apply this thought to today.
Have I Become Your Enemy?
1. By preaching Jesus as the only source of salvation?
2. By asking you to compare denominational beliefs, teachings and practices to the Word?
3. By pointing out potential wrong-doing in your life?
4. By questioning authority for something “we’ve always done”?
Have I Become Your Enemy?
1. By preaching Jesus as the only source of salvation? (John 14:6, 8:24)
Have I Become Your Enemy?
2. By asking you to compare denominational beliefs, teachings and practices to the word? (Matthew 15:12-13, 1 John 4:1, Acts 17:11)
Have I Become Your Enemy?
3. By pointing out potential wrong doing in your life? (Mark 6:17-18, Galatians 2:11-13, Romans 12:19-21, James 5:20)
Have I Become Your Enemy?
4. By questioning authority for something “we’ve always done”? (1 Timothy 3:15, 2 John 1:9, Matthew 15:9)
Conclusion
If you have been confronted with the Truth and you are angry at the one who confronted you, your anger is misplaced. We should be thankful to those who are willing to confront us – they are not our enemies, but are our friends. We also are your friends when we try to convince you to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Law of Liberty, the law of Christ, the new covenant. If you decide to obey and become a Son of God, you then will be one who can inherit eternal glory (Galatians 3:26-29, 4:7, Romans 8:12-17). The choice is yours. You can count us as enemies and reject the truth. Or you can realize we are your friends and put on Christ in baptism. We hope to see you next time on “Speaking the Truth in Love”.
