Shepherds, Wolves, Sheep

Galatians 3:1 –O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.

One of the greatest myths in the church is that we should treat all people equally. To be sure, everyone is equally made in God’s image, equally valuable under the law, and equally needy of Jesus Christ. But, when it comes to relationships, we must treat different people differently.

In the church of Jesus Christ, there should be wise shepherds who care for the sheep by fighting off the evil wolves. In Galatia, Paul was the shepherd who gathered the flock and planted the church. He was filled with the Spirit and told them all about Jesus Christ’s work for them on the cross, in them by the power of the Spirit, and through them by the grace of God. Paul focused everyone on Jesus, and then moved on to his next mission.

As Satan often does, he sent in evil religious wolves to lead people away from the simplicity of a relationship with Jesus Christ into all sorts of cultural and religious traditions and legalisms. These “false brothers” were wolves operating with demonic power much like when a witch casts a spell sending a demon to bring confusion, sin, and division. This is precisely what is happening in Galatia and prompts Paul to write the letter to the Galatians.

In the middle of the battle were the sheep, who were acting foolishly and giving ground to the wolves who were taking over the church. One Bible translator named J. B. Phillips translates Galatians 3:1, “O you dear idiots of Galatia … surely you can’t be so idiotic …?” The language is strong, but it is Paul’s attempt to wake the sheep up from their slumber before they were devoured.

Who do you know that is wise? Who do you know that is evil? How are you foolish?

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