Galatians 4:15 Where is then the blessedness you spoke of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible… — I. THEIR PAST RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE WAS ONE OF BLESSEDNESS. 1. Blessedness is one of the earliest notes of religious life. Christ's first miracle was at Cana: amongst His first words were the beatitudes. The earliest religious experience is that known as "first love." 2. There is a danger of this being lost through the truth on which it is based losing its freshness. The vision of Christ crucified had faded, and the Galatians were now seeking perfection in another way than that by which they had attained blessedness. 3. Blessedness can only be maintained by the constant realization of Christ as Saviour. II. THEIR PRESENT EXAMPLE IS ONE OF RELIGIOUS INSTABILITY. 1. They were of a fickle and changeable temperament. 2. Religion had entered them chiefly through the emotions. They had not fairly grasped the doctrines of Christianity. Hence they became an easy prey to false teachers. 3. They regarded the teacher rather than the truth he taught. 4. Influences were at work calculated to draw them away from their faith. (1) Learned teachers whom it was hard to refute. (2) Gorgeous ceremonial for which they had a predilection. (3) Old worldliness and heathenism so recently renounced. III. THE REMEDY. 1. Recognize the evil. 2. Return to Christ. (S. Pearson, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. |
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