Why do people turn away from the truth? There could be several reasons. Some are deceived. In other words, they have mistakenly believed falsehood as the truth. Others are misinformed. They do not understand the truth which has been told to them. There may be another reason as well: For example, they have begun to doubt the trustworthiness and character of the person who told them the truth and have fallen under the charismatic personality of a false teacher.
The Apostle Paul preached the gospel in the Roman province of Galatia. As a result, many people began to follow Christ, and churches came into existence. Unfortunately, other people came after Paul and taught that faith in Christ is not sufficient – it is also necessary to follow the Law of Moses in order to receive salvation. Paul was not only alarmed by this situation, he was puzzled by it. How could the people to whom he had preached the gospel abandon it? In an inspired letter to the followers of Christ in Galatia, Paul presented several logical arguments to prove that we are saved by faith in Christ, not by the Law. In addition, Paul also made a personal appeal. In chapter 4, verses 8 through 20, he writes, “However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again? You observe days, months, seasons, and years. I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you. I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong, but you know that because of weakness of the flesh I preached the Good News to you the first time. That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn’t despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. What was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? They zealously seek you in no good way. No, they desire to alienate you, that you may seek them. But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you. My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you – but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.”
One of the things which perplexed Paul was that whether these people had been idolators or Jews before becoming followers of Christ, they had already experienced the slavery of trying to earn their salvation through works of merit. They did not know God. Instead, the rituals, ceremonies and regulations which they followed became a substitute for God. In Christ, however, they had come to know God. They had experienced freedom from the worldly principles which had ruled their lives. But now, they were returning to those same things again. They were starting to observe the same kind of rituals and ceremonies which had enslaved them before they followed Christ.
Paul was concerned that perhaps he had wasted his time. What was the point of preaching the gospel to these people, and telling them about Christ, if they were going to return to the same life which had enslaved them before? At the same time, Paul was quick to reassure them that they had not wronged him. His concern was not for himself, but for the harm these people were doing to themselves. Paul reminded them of the joy they had experienced when they heard the gospel. This joy was not because of Paul – for Paul’s illness was a trial and repulsive to them. No, their joy was because of the message Paul brought. But now, where had their joy gone? Could they not see that returning to their former principles and way of thinking was taking away the joy they experienced by following Christ?
Another result of trying to follow a set of rules rather than Christ, was that it caused alienation. They were starting to doubt the very person they had once welcomed as if he were Christ himself. At one time the people to whom Paul is writing would have been willing to pluck out their own eyes and given them to him. Now, they viewed him with suspicion.
In view of this, Paul draws a contrast between the false teachers and himself. Who is it that has the best interests of the people in mind? Paul is instructing them for their own good. He asks whether he has become their enemy by telling them the truth. In contrast, the false teachers do not care about the benefit of the people but seek to benefit from the people.
This is an important principle by which we can gauge the sincerity of a teacher. Who benefits? If the teacher seeks to profit from those he teaches rather than the good of those he teaches; if he encourages people to be enthusiastic about him rather than be enthusiastic about truth, then his motives are not good.
Perhaps one of the things which distressed Paul the most was that by going back to a system of law the people to whom he had preached the gospel were no longer growing in the character of Christ. It is not God’s purpose to merely save us from the consequences of our sin. God’s purpose is to change our characters. He wants us to become like Christ. In another place Paul writes that we are to, “…become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13 NIV)
Law defines sin and convicts us of it. While law may prevent us from doing wrong, only character can prevent us from wanting to do it. Earlier in this letter, in chapter 3, verse 27, Paul wrote about being clothed with Christ. It is only when we become like Christ; it is only when His character becomes our character that we gain victory over sin. We no longer sin because we no longer desire to do what is wrong. We all need to ask ourselves what restrains us from sin. Is it fear of breaking a command, or is it a Christ-like character which no longer wants to do wrong?