My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.

Galatians 4:19 (ESV)

 

Too many people struggle to understand God's will for their lives. Instead of seeing God's will as an invitation to know and love Him, we have reduced it to a task we must complete for Him. God's will be centred on our relationship with Him, not a specific location or job. In fact, if you study the Scriptures, you will notice that God is more concerned with perfecting who we are than with determining our next steps.

The emphasis of God's will, according to the Apostle Paul, is to make Christ known to you so that Christ may be formed within you (see Colossians 1:27). You will reflect Christ in your words, actions, and attitude as the truth of Christ's presence and power within you shapes and transforms your heart and purpose.

Imagine for a moment that we are like a cup of hot water, and Christ is like a tea bag infused inside of us. The longer the tea bag steeps in the cup, the stronger it gets. It is the same for us. The more we allow Christ to transform us, the more we experience His grace and ability to change the lives of those around us.

Paul sees himself as a birth mother and midwife. He grieves for the Galatians because they chose a legalistic lifestyle and lost sight of their new life in Christ. They were limiting their own spiritual growth and maturity by believing a dead faith. This was due to their reliance on their own spiritual achievements rather than Christ's atoning sacrifice for their salvation.

The actions of the Galatians reflect an unresolved insecurity in the gospel. Insecurity, in its own way, is a source of pride. This is because it reflects a belief in one's own self-righteousness while rejecting God's righteousness as revealed through Christ.

What is God saying to me here and what must I do?