GALATIANS 4:17
“They eagerly seek you, not in a commendable way, but they want to shut you out so that you will seek them.”
Some people, in an effort to control you, will try to isolate you and shut you off from your friends and family. They will appear to have such compassion and care for you, but it is all part of their plans to have you to themselves. They will fill your mind with all kinds of platitudes. You will think they are your best friend. They can be very convincing.
In today’s verse, Paul is referring back to the people who were trying to put the Galatians back under the law. One term used to describe them is “Judaizers.” These people “eagerly” sought the Galatians. They wanted to “shut…out” the Galatians, isolate them so they could control them. They knew Paul stood in their way, so they were always trying to stir up discord about Paul and drive him out of town. Paul is warning the Galatians here about them.
APPLICATION
How does this verse apply to us today? Well, there are still a type of Judaizers among us. There are people who want to control how and what we think. There are plenty of modern day legalizers who want to force you to obey laws and commands which we have been freed from. Romans 8:1-2 says it clearly. “1 Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”
When we learn to live in freedom, without any guilt from what others are saying we should and shouldn’t do, then we will experience true freedom in Christ. Later in this letter to the Galatians, Paul says this, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1) “A yoke of slavery”! Who wants that? I sure don’t.
So, don’t let others tell you what you must do or not do in Christ. Go to the Word. It will instruct. Sure, we need good counsel and good teaching. But ultimately, you must discover your freedom in Jesus. Don’t get isolated by any one person or group. We need fellowship with other believers. Remember that Christ has set you free through His blood.
O Father, I thank You that I do not have to conform to a list of rules to show my love for You.