Today Paul Trask continues his study of Galatians, making his way through chapter 4:8-20.

• By warning his Gentile converts away from the “basic principles of the world,” Paul is actually equating Judaism with their former paganism!
• As Mormons have a fascination with American Indians, many American Christians are likewise fascinated with Jews and all things Jewish
  • Jewish cultural customs do not move anyone forward in the Christian life
  • Some Christians have become so intoxicated by all this that they leave Christ and Christianity behind in order to become Jewish
  • Today’s Messianic Christianity is divisive of the Body of Christ, and is dangerous – STAY AWAY
• Paul left his substantial background and standing in Judaism completely behind when he first met this Galatian Christians – he now encourages them to do likewise, by distancing themselves from those troublesome Judaizers
• God used Paul’s unexpected and inconvenient illness to evangelize these Galatian Christians – God may likewise use the unexpected and inconvenient in our lives to further His greater purposes
• The Truth Hurts – especially from those close to us – but it is meant for good, and is based on love
• Christian Legalism is just as wrong and harmful as Jewish or pagan legalism
  • Every person is unique, and God’s program for each person is also unique. 
  • We should be encouraging each person’s unique walk with God, and not condemning them for not being like us. 
  • Nor should we condemn people because they sin differently than we do.
    • “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:4)
• “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)

(Galatians 4:8–20, 3:21, 3:10, 4:3; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Matthew 10:40; Romans 10:1–4; Isaiah 64:6; Romans 14:4; Galatians 5:1)