GALATIANS 4:8-19

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2007

WHY DO YOU WORSHIP?

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. Galatians 4:8-19 (NKJV)

As I have done in the past I have chosen to do a series of Devotions by going verse by verse through a Book of the Bible. This time I have chosen the Letter of St. Paul to the Galatians. The first Devotion, for Chapter 1, verses 6 - 10, was written earlier and can be found by going to the Devotion Archives. Each following devotion will remain on this page for approximately 6 days before it will be transferred to the Archives. It is my prayer that these devotions will assist you in your Bible Study and in your growth in Faith and in the Love of Jesus. Here then is the twelfth in this series of Devotions.

For our meditation I want to dwell on one thought from these verses. This thought could produce an entire sermon or discussion for an Adult Sunday School Class.

Verse 11, “ I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain” is Paul’s reaction to the thought that he shares in the previous verses. His concern is that these Galatian Christians are placing too much of their trust in the ceremonial worship of some of the old Jewish ceremonial days as he refers to this in verse 10. When the Galatians had heard St. Paul preach and teach they heard the Good News of Salvation and how Christ had overcome the impossible burden of keeping the Law, He reminded them that many of these ceremonial days, months and seasons were based on the keeping of various Jewish laws. In other words, the worship of God in order to fulfill the LAW is not acceptable to God. To live in His Word and then in worship to praise Him, IS acceptable.

What does this have to do with us today?

Do you worship to fulfill the Law of Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it Holy? OR

Do you say, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the House of the Lord?”

Do you go to worship because of the exciting music, the multimedia presentations and other things that you enjoy? OR

Do you go to worship simply to thank God and give Him your praise?

Do you refrain from inviting a friend to worship because you are afraid he or she might not like it? OR

Do you invite that friend so that he or she might have the opportunity to learn that Jesus has prepared a place in His House of many Mansions for those who believe in Him?

WE PRAY:  Heavenly Father, If we worship only because we have to or only if we enjoy it, then send your Holy Spirit upon us. Open our eyes and hearts to see and to know that if we are going to worship you, that means to place you first. AMEN.

A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION

Each time you go to a service of worship, after the service ask yourself this question. Was the most important part of my worship giving praise and thanks to God OR (to use an old question) Did I sit down to sing, Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus?