Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?
Galatians 4:16

The Apostle Paul had some hard things to say to the Christians in Galatia, things they didn’t want to hear. He had to correct some things they had gotten wrong.

Some of them were angry about what he had to say. Some refused to listen, thinking that they knew better than Paul. Some were ready to ignore what he had to say and go off and start their own religion, taking with them as many as they could.

Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
Galatians 3:3

Paul wasn’t just spouting his own opinions; he was speaking as Christ’s appointed Apostle and standing on God’s Word. His was given the task of laying the foundation for the Christian churches to build on for the next 2,000 years - or however much longer we have until God pulls the plug on History.

Some people won’t want to hear when you bring them God’s Word. Some will think they know better. Some will tell you that “your opinions” are too narrow or too broad, outdated, or just plain irrelevant. Some would rather choose or create their own religion that agrees with their own ideas. But do like Paul: be kind, but stand firmly on God’s Word.

Your opinions and mine don’t matter, after all. Only God’s opinion matters. Our task is to agree with Him, not to convince Him - or anyone else - to agree with us.

Lord God, give me understanding of Your Word as I read. Keep me from inserting my own opinion and calling it Yours, and bless the proclamation of Your Word so that by Your Holy Spirit hearts are changed and set apart to follow You, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles