Read Galatians 4:8-20

“My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you” (Galatians 4:19)

Oh, the joy of having a mentor in Christ who labors diligently for you in order to see you be transformed more and more into the likeness of Jesus. This is what the Galatian church had in Paul, and this is what every church should have in a pastor, and what every Christian should have in a mentor. This is the nucleus of discipleship.

“For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me.” (1 Corinthians 4:15–16)

In context, Paul was laboring for the church in Galatia over extremely difficult issues. He was having to address their fall away from the truth and from the pure gospel of Christ (see Galatians 1:6). The church had begun to slip into the bondage of the Old Testament Law at the pressure of Judaizers — a group of Jewish Christians who still believed Gentiles needed to keep the Levitical laws given to Israel. It was destroying the Galatians’ faith like a sledgehammer to a precious piece of china (see Galatians 3:3).

But Paul would have none of it! He loved the Galatians too much to let them fall away easily. This required Paul to speak the truth boldly, intercede passionately, and disciple authoritatively.

“Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16)

And Paul was indeed willing to become their enemy, not by his choice but theirs, if it meant preaching the truth to them. Yet it would never change his zeal to see their faith revived according to the gospel. This is what we might call today: Hard Love. This is essential in discipleship.

We live in a culture, perhaps more than ever before, where the feelings of man are on display like an idol set up in the open square. All are required to pay homage to that idol or you’ll be cast out as bigoted and intolerant. How a person feels has become more important than truth; and how a person fantasizes has become a greater reality than reality itself. If this isn’t frightening enough, it has crept its way into the church today.

Beloved of God, we must fight against this sway of the world whose current is fueled by Satan! Let us be a people who love each other enough to labor for each other until Christ be formed — and this requires painful love as Paul showed Galatia*.* If rebuking is needed, let us rebuke each other. If correction is needed, let us correct each other. If admonishment is needed, let us admonish each other. But enough of the world's dancing and prancing around feelings like it's the center of the universe. Truth must reign! — and we are disciples of truth, are we not?

Let us be bold in our discipleship, and let us be boldly discipled. Labor for someone till Christ be formed in them, don’t give up. And let someone labor for you until Christ be formed in you, especially through agonizing truths. Pain is the crucible of discipleship and a necessary good for our spiritual growth. Embrace the thorn — it is meant to transform you more and more into the likeness of Christ. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God.

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:9–10)

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so.” (Proverbs 3:27)

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