Wednesday after the Tenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday

Scripture: Galatians 4:8-20 (NKJV)

8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain. 12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 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. 15 What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth? 17 They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. 18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you. 19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, 20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.

Devotion

I was told by a member of our congregation about their recent trip. On their return home, they stopped for pizza in a small town. They went in asked for a table and requested a high chair. The first table was dirty so they sat at another. When the high chair arrived, they had to clean it. They were about to order drinks and asked the waitress what was available. “I don’t know. Just look over there at the machine,” was the waitress’ response. They got their drinks and decided to order the “House Special.” Since the menu didn’t tell what was on the “House Special,” they asked the waitress. Again, “I don’t know.”

One family member said, “It doesn’t appear you were trained very well since you don’t even know what’s on the ‘House Special.'”

At that, the waitress took off to the kitchen, crying all the way. The manager came out, questioned the family about their treatment of the waitress, and told them they could leave if they wanted. They left.

Paul wrote: “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” It would appear that holds true for waitresses, too. Sadly, Paul wasn’t dealing with the people of Galatia over a question about pizza toppings. The people of Galatia were rejecting the absolute truth of the Gospel. No longer did they believe that salvation was only found in Christ. Paul confronted them with their sin of following false teachers who were “zealously” leading them back to works of the Law. Paul longs for them to return to Christ and Him alone for the assurance of their salvation.

Heavenly Father, keep me zealous for that which is good thing: salvation in Christ alone. Amen.