Galatians 4:12-20
When Paul had first arrived at the Galatia community they received him with such pure love that the Christ in him was unified with the Christ in them. And while he is in Galatia Paul receives healing from Christ for his physical ailments (he’d been persecuted with beatings prior to this) so he is able to preach again and to teach energetically. Some say to Paul that he is their angel of God; a tenderhearted and loving expression for him.
Paul truly loves each one of them and begs them to reject what the missionaries have mis-taught them. He says, “become as I am, for I also have become as you are…”. He begs them to pattern their lives after him, as he is the living example of Jesus alive. He invites them to imitate him and so imitate Christ. He mentors them with conviction!
At some point in your Christian walk the Lord Jesus will give you a mentor like Paul. Take your mentor’s help, aiding you to live with joy– Christ alive within you as found in the Biblical Gospel of Jesus Christ. Stick with her/him and extend gracious goodwill. This is your angel of God.
Look also at this portion of Scripture today and see unbreakable spiritual personal relationships, hearts bound together in God’s Love, and the Kingdom of God in the community of the faithful. The Holy Spirit binds us together! We are generous with Christ’s favor, we give kindness and have patience with others who are developing in their faith, and undoubtedly Christ may call on each of us to mentor someone– just like Paul mentored.
We may differ in heritage, whether we eat meat or just vegetables, times of fasting or not, and yet we shall not differ on our unity in loving Christ and one another. We are Holy together and nothing shall separate us from loving Christ Jesus as we are one in Him.
Paul is loving each believer in the Churches of Galatia. He is tenderhearted like Christ. We are too.
12 Friends, I beg you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong. 13 You know that it was because of a physical infirmity that I first announced the Gospel to you; 14 though my condition put you to the test, you did not scorn or despise me, but welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 What has become of the goodwill you felt? For I testify that, had it been possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose; they want to exclude you, so that you may make much of them. 18 It is good to be made much of for a good purpose at all times, and not only when I am present with you. 19 My little children, for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20 I wish I were present with you now and could change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. Galatians 4:12-20
