I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view (that only God’s grace, not works, is required for salvation). The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves. (Galatians 5:10-12)
I had poor self-esteem as a child. I was introverted and rarely spoke. My peers laughed, talked, and played but shunned me, except for the occasional bully. Like Paul, I was angry and felt persecuted.
Jews persecuted Paul because he taught that God’s grace was necessary for salvation. Only the atonement of Jesus’ blood can save us. That “offense of the cross” insulted the Jews. They had been instructed they could save themselves through good works.
The agitators who told the Galatian men that they must be circumcised undermined Paul’s leadership. They threw the Galatians into confusion by telling them Paul believed Christians should be circumcised because he had circumcised Timothy. Of course, those he wished would emasculate themselves didn’t tell the Galatians that Timothy was Jewish or that his father was Greek and didn’t allow the ritual.
Paul rightly felt that the Jews wouldn’t accept Timothy’s testimony unless he had his foreskin removed.
We’ve all been in a situation where someone turns others against us. Like Paul, we should be confident in the Lord that he will solve our problems as he did Paul’s. Christianity doesn’t require circumcision.
Father, I praise you for your grace of salvation that doesn’t require work. Let me be confident that you will take revenge on those who persecute me and that you will solve my problems so I can serve you happily with love.
As you said we have all been persecuted at some point in our lives. I don’t believe that there is a person who has avoided that. I feel so badly that you were persecuted as a child. I know it was hard for you to make friends. I know I was part of that at times. I have asked forgiveness from you and from God. I think a lot of it was typical sibling behavior. I do remember how much I loved you and you were so stinking cute! I’ll always remember you riding your tricycle with your piggy tails flying in the wind. We should not be the ones that persecute, God will do that for us. We should not judge, God will do that for us.
Praying for your family and you this morning. I am also praying that we remember to take our problems to God and rely more on His love and grace to get us through difficult times.
I didn’t always treat you as I should have either so forgive me also for my part in our not so good relationship when we were younger. Mom and/or Dad should’ve made or taught us to treat each other with respect. Love your prayers. Thanks. I prayed for you too.