It Starts Small

⁸ But in the past, since you didn’t know God, you were enslaved to things that by nature are not gods. ⁹ But now, since you know God, or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elements? Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again? ¹⁰ You are observing special days, months, seasons, and years. ¹¹ I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted.

Galatians 4:8-11

you were enslaved to things that by nature are not gods

The Galatians found themselves in the dark grip of enslavement before they encountered the transformative power of Christ. Most likely, they were bound by the chains of idol worship. They were ensnared in the hollow rituals of the traditional Roman religion. They yearned for liberation and truth.

¹⁹ What am I saying then? That food sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? ²⁰ No, but I do say that what they sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons!

1 Corinthians 10:19-20

Paul fervently teaches that idolatry is not just a mere misstep; it is a demonic trap! Behind the sinister veil of idol worship, demons are present. Satan cunningly deploys them. Their sole mission is to ensnare and bind individuals in chains of sin. These dark forces don’t just bind. They enslave people to burdensome rules. Hollow religious rituals promise salvation yet deliver only despair. The more one dedicates themselves to these insidious idols, the shackles become tighter. They entangle them in a web of spiritual bondage!

So it is with everything that exists outside of God! When a person seeks meaning or happiness apart from Him, they become a prisoner to the very things they chase. In today’s world, countless souls are ensnared by money, lust, alcohol, and every conceivable addiction. The dark forces behind these chains are as potent as those that fuel graven images. Satan lures with the promise of freedom, all while tightening the grip of oppression!

since you know God, or rather have become known by God

Now the lives of the Galatians must be transformed! They are forever changed! We must recognize something crucial. God, in His boundless love, takes the initiative to reach out to us passionately (See John 6:44, John 16:15). He chooses us with tender care. He loves us first, with a love that knows no bounds!

¹⁹ We love because he first loved us.

1 John 4:19

What does this mean for us? Here are a few implications:

• Be Humble. Embrace humility with all your heart, for our salvation is entirely God’s miraculous work within us!
• Be Thankful. Cultivate an attitude of deep gratitude, knowing He loved us even in our unloveliness!
• Be Assured. Stand firm in assurance. God extended His love and salvation to you in your darkest moments. He continues to love you fiercely now. He will NEVER abandon you or cast you away from His powerful grasp!
• Be like Him. I urge you to embody His essence, showing that same love to others, especially when they, too, appear unlovely.

how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elements? 

From above, we witnessed the stark reality of this man-made religion. It is a construct that places burdensome emphasis on works-oriented and rules-based salvation. Throughout the entire letter of Galatians, we see the haunting temptation to forsake the liberating gift of salvation through faith. Instead, people choose to cling to the suffocating constraints of the law. This misguided path is dangerous. It leads us back to the frail and elementary principles of this world. It robs us of the true freedom we are meant to embrace.

You might exclaim, “Hold on a second! They were idol worshipers before salvation. How could they possibly return to Judaism?” The truth is, to God, rules-based Judaism and rules-based idol worship are indistinguishable! There are only two paths before us. One is the broad way that spirals down into destruction. The other is the narrow road that triumphantly passes through the cross. Both rules-based Judaism and idol worship pave the way of the broad path. Every single religion in this world—except the glorious gospel of Jesus—ultimately promotes self-reliance and good works!

Turning away from salvation through faith in favor of circumcision and the law is regressive. It takes a step back to feeble and rudimentary ideals. People from every corner of the globe have clung to this principle. It is the misguided belief that performing good deeds can somehow balance out our wrongs. But let me be clear: it is an illusion that doesn’t work, and it never has!

You were not redeemed by your good works, so cast aside any reliance on them! Never let pride take root in your heart when you perform acts of kindness. Instead, cling to Christ every single day—He alone is your source of strength and hope!

 You are observing special days, months, seasons, and years. 

Jews were commanded in the Old Testament to celebrate a vibrant array of festivals. Each festival was marked on specific days of the year. They were rich with meaning and tradition. However, the church was never bound to follow these observances. Anyone is free to embrace these celebrations. They can be a heartfelt way to honor and remember God. However, it remains a personal choice and not an obligation. It’s crucial to understand this. Attending these festivals should never be seen through a legalistic lens. Such acts could never earn us favor in the eyes of God.

Many Christians today celebrate two significant festivals, Christmas and Easter. However, numerous individuals only grace the church with their presence on these sacred days. Some believe that if they earnestly attend church during these festivals, they have fulfilled their duty as Christians. But let’s be clear—God sees deeper than outward appearances; He gazes into your heart. His watchful eye is upon you throughout the entire year, not just on Sundays or special occasions. God is not some celestial roll keeper, checking attendance on select days of the year. He yearns for your complete devotion every single moment.

that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted.

Paul poured his heart and soul into sharing the gospel with the Galatians. He passionately nurtured the formation of the Galatian church. He was terrified by the thought that they might abandon the gospel. This fear of them adhering to the Old Testament law made his efforts seem futile. Fueled by this idea, Paul threw himself into every possible endeavor to uplift and guide them on the righteous path. His profound love and unwavering concern for them are unmistakable. Paul didn’t simply proclaim the gospel and walk away. He ardently followed up. He strived with every ounce of his being to help them remain steadfast in their faith.

Paul leads us into asking ourselves: Do you have this same passion for people?

You absolutely must share the gospel with others! But what happens after they believe? They will face challenges along their journey. It’s crucial that you follow up with them! Check in on their spiritual life—how are they truly doing? Lift them up in prayer and join them in prayer. Invite them to gather and dive deeply into God’s Word together! Be their source of encouragement when they’re struggling. Consider someone you’ve previously reached out to—what bold steps can you take this week to reconnect with them? Is there someone who would join you regularly for Bible study? Let’s ignite that passion together!

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Cross References:

• 1 Corinthians 10:19-20
• Romans 1:23
• John 6:44
• John 15:16
• 1 John 4:19
• Romans 12:2
• 1 Corinthians 8:3
• Nahum 1:7

Questions to Ponder:

• What does it mean to be “enslaved to those that by nature are not gods”? Who are these “not gods”?
• What is the difference between coming to know God and being known by God?
• What does this subtle difference show us about God?
• What are the “weak and elementary principles of the world”?
• In what way can a person be a slave of these things?
• What is the Galatians’ problem in this passage?
• Is it good or bad to observe “days and months and seasons and years”? Why?
• What can you learn about legalism and the law from this passage?
• What can you learn about freedom?
• Why was Paul concerned that he labored over them in vain?
• What are some modern-day traditions or rules that could enslave believers?

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