RECEIVING THE MESSENGER
Galatians 4:13–15 “As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. Where, then, is your blessing of me now?”
Paul initially came to the Galatians in weakness, not strength, not impressiveness or outward appeal. His illness was a trial to them, something that could have caused them to reject him. But they didn’t. They received him, welcomed him, and treated him with honour because of the gospel he carried.
This is important. Their response wasn’t based on appearance, comfort, or personal benefit. It was shaped by their recognition of the truth.
But now something had changed. “Where, then, is your blessing of me now?” The same people who once received Paul with joy were now turning away from him. Why? Because the message had become uncomfortable. Truth was now confronting them, and their affection had shifted.
This exposes a common danger. It’s easy to receive truth when it encourages us. It’s harder to receive it when it corrects us.
But the value of a messenger isn’t found in how pleasant the message feels, but in WHETHER IT IS FAITHFUL TO THE GOSPEL.
Paul’s life reminds us that God often works through weakness, not strength. The power isn’t in the messenger, it’s in the message. We mustn’t measure truth by how it makes us feel, but by whether it is faithful to Christ and God’s written word. We must be willing to receive the truth, even when it corrects us.
Prayer:
Father, give me a heart that receives Your truth with humility, even when it challenges me. Help me to value faithfulness over comfort and to remain anchored in the gospel. Teach me to honour Your Word above my personal preferences. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Have a wonderful day. God bless and lots’a love,
Warren
Pastor Warren Retzlaff is the senior pastor for All Nations Aotearoa Church in Auckland New Zealand.
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