Joy

Scripture:
Galatians 4:14 & 15 – …And that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
 
Observation:
Paul was trying to assure the Galatians that his anger toward them was based on their attitude toward the Law and not at them because of a grudge that he had against them. In fact, Paul reminded them that the Galatians had welcomed him with open arms. They had accepted him when other would have turned him away because of his illness. They didn’t receive Paul out of compulsion or keep him at arms length, but rather greeted him like as a long lost friend or even as they would have received Christ. Paul could have asked for anything and the Galatians would have tried to do it for him, to the point of giving themselves. So what happened? The Galatians were so excited and enthusiastic for the Gospel message and for Paul. They had been robbed of their joy by the Law. The Law makes you feel guilty, feel not good enough, feel you need to do more to be accepted. Where once he had incredible friends because he shared the truth, Paul now had opponents.
 
Application:
I love to watch people’s expressions when they receive an unexpected gift or when they have a great need in their life met from an unexpected source. Their emotions and responses are pure and real. They have a joy and excitement that is often hard for them to express verbally. Their first response is usually that they can’t believe that someone would do that for me. All of us have the same response to unexpected acts of love. I have been privileged to see that from Pinelake’s work on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and in Jackson. It is hard for any of us to communicate our gratitude for these undeserved deeds. After the initial shock has worn off, one of our next thoughts is, “I need to do something for them for them to repay their kindness.” Actually we’re not very good at receiving gifts. If we receive a gift at Christmas, we immediately rush out to get that person a gift. If it’s on our birthday, we get them something on their birthday. We feel like we have to repay their kindness. Just like the Galatians, I can easily fall into the trap of trying to repay Jesus. I think I’m not good enough, I need to be doing more for Jesus, or look how much more he is doing than I am. I get robbed of my joy. It’s during those times that I think back to the joy I received when I am walking close with God. I remember it’s not about what I can do for God or earning God’s favor, but rather what God has already done for me in sending His Son to die for me.
 
Prayer:
God, I just want to thank you for sending your Son. Continue to teach me to live in your love and not under the law. Teach me to live in the joy of my relationship with you.

— David Hardin, community missions pastor