Jeremy Koch

Galatians Paper #9

August 31, 2001

“Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again” (Galatians 4:8-9 NIV)?

Unless we as Christians begin to abstain from earthly distractions and focus greatly upon our relationship with Jesus we may (and many times do) become so drawn away from our new relationship with activities which are unbecoming and do not testify to our relationship with God.

“Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules” (Colossians 2:20 NIV)?

Paul ask us why we persist in resurrecting activities that we were supposed to have buried in baptism. The answer unfortunately is that habits of a secular-nature are a natural magnetism to our flesh. However, there is nothing wrong with tending the needs of the flesh as long as the flesh does not super-cede or have dominion over the spirit, which should be submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit; even down to our very thoughts.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

The word of the Lord speaks of the importance of our walk before Him maturating to spiritual adulthood from its beginning at conception, to infancy and through adolescence. Paul says, “When I was a child, I talked, thought, and reasoned as a child. When I became a man. I put away childish ways” (1 Corinthians 13:11). Shouldn’t this be our mindset too?

“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:11-14).

How close to God do we wish to get? For through His word it offers us a road map in which we could follow to have a closer person-to-person type of relationship with the most Holy, Jesus Christ. In fact we hardly appreciate or even know that Jesus holds back no good thing to those who walk uprightly before Him (Psalm 84:11). He also promise that if we delight in His Law (or Word) that He will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4). In fact we can be so close to Him that we could expect to hear the very secrets of God.

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3 NIV).

What greater gift could we wish to receive than to have a walking and talking relationship with the God of heaven, Jesus Christ? Why is it not highly coveted? Why is closeness with Christ not sought after nearly as much?

Because a relationship with God must truly be desired and so seeked. For the Lord is more interested with sincerity than He is with frugalness. “For who is it who will devote him/(herself) to be close to me, declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 30:21)?

The word of God tells us to, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all His righteousness and then all these things will be added unto you” (Mathew 6:33).

The way of the world, however, disappointing still offers simple instant gratifications such as that keep us from even keeping on course toward a relationship that is closely knit with Christ. Much less those just beginning to decide to follow Him or those still uninterested. The Bible says we can learn through maturity to discern with Godly wisdom to discriminate against activities, which are not wholesome to a developing relationship with Christ.

We as Christians not only would benefit greatly from walking blamelessly before the Lord but it is also our great responsibility to do so. If we as Christians walk as those of world what does that say about the name of Jesus; the name we should be willing to die to defend?

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ [Numbers 16:5 NIV] and, ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.’ If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made Holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:15-17, 19, 21-22 NIV).

“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is Good” (1 Peter 2:1-3).

As heirs of the kingdom the Lord, Jesus has given us everything we need to grow spiritually and defend ourselves from the attack of the enemy (2 Peter 1:3-4).