You'll Put Your Eye out!

Paul continues to flip through the pages of the Galatians' spiritual scrapbook.  He hopes that remembering his amazing first couple of visits with them will make them realize what a huge mistake they've made in following the teaching of the Judaizers.  

The apostle has warned them that they are in danger of returning "to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world" (Gal 4:9). 

He's afraid that all God did through him among these people will all go down the toilet (Gal 4:11).  They have gone back to the slavery of legalism by celebrating Jewish holy days (Gal 4:10).  

And now he recalls how he stopped in Galatia in the first place.  He was sick (Gal 4:13).  God used his illness as an open door for the Gospel while the local people cared for the ailing apostle (Gal 4:14).

Once again, Paul walks the Galatians down memory lane.  "What then has become of the blessing you felt?" (v15).  He wants them to remember those incredible visits when he told them about Jesus for the very first time.  

It was during the apostle's first missionary expedition that he and Barnabas toured the cities of Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe in what is now Turkey.  

Paul wants them to remember how the Gospel absolutely turned these towns upside down.  Dr. Luke allows us to sneak a peek on that amazing time in Acts 13 and 14.  

The apostle told them about how Jesus has not only fulfilled everything in Scripture as Messiah but has also swung open the door of salvation to the entire world.  

First of all, "many Jews and devout converts" in Pisidian Antioch placed their faith in the radical Rabbi/Carpenter (Acts 13:43).  Then non-Jews heard it and "began rejoicing and glorifying the Word of the Lord" (Acts 13:48).  

That's when things got crazy.  "And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region" (Acts 13:49).  The tsunami of grace swept into Iconium, "and the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 13:52).  Once again, "a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed" (Acts 14:1).  

God used Paul & Barney to do miraculous things among the Galatians (Acts 14:3, 9).  More people placed their trust in Jesus in Derbe (Acts 14:20).  

The Gospel of Jesus had rocked Galatia.  That's what Paul wants his friends to remember.

So what's become of that joy, that excitement and that buzz they felt?  Whenever we doubt our faith or feel far from Jesus, we should think back on that first moment when God rocked our world.  Go back to the beginning.  Go back to the start.  

Remember how Christ reached out to you and pulled you from the miry pit to sing a song of total life change (Ps 40:1-3).  

Throughout his letters, Paul continually encourages us to think back to the beginning of our walk with Jesus. "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him" (Col 2:6).  

When in doubt, pull out the spiritual scrapbook.

The apostle reminds the Galatians of just how sick he was during his first visit and just much compassion they showed him.  "If possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me" (v15).  

This sure seems to indicate that his "bodily ailment" was some sort of eye infection or illness (Gal 4:14).  

If it had been medically possible at the time, his Galatian caregivers were willing to donate their own eyes for transplant.  Why else would Paul say this if he wasn't suffering from an optical issue.  

His statement about his use of "large letters" at the end of this letter would seem to support this idea (Gal 6:11).  Don't forget that Jesus originally blinded Paul to get his attention outside of Damascus (Acts 9:8-9).

The point here isn't so much what was wrong with Paul but what was right with the Galatians.  They had such Christ-like compassion on the man from Tarsus that they were willing pop out their own eyeballs so that he could be made well.  

And for those who are grossed out by such talk, that's EXACTLY what the original language tells us.  He uses the Greek verb εξορυσσω/exorusso.  It literally means to dig out.  The word was used to describe how you would toss the dirt out of a trench you were digging.  Yeah, gross, right?

This wasn't the mom in "A Christmas Story" warning Ralphie about the dangers of the Red Rider BB Gun.  Paul wanted the Galatians to remember the lengths of their love, care and compassion for him when he was with them.  

They would've put their eyes out for him!  Maybe that will trigger the memory of what God had done right before their eyes.

The apostle wants them to remember just how much they cared for him because apparently someone has thrown him under the Galatian bus.  "Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?" (v15).  

Somehow, someway, the false teachers who've infiltrated the Galatian churches have convinced them that Paul is their spiritual nemesis.  

Most likely they've told them that this so-called apostle had gone rogue and was spreading a counterfeit gospel.  The Judaizers accused him of not telling folks the full truth.  

According the, Jesus may have gotten us into God's kingdom but it's up to each of us to stay there.  And they said we do that through obedient rule-keeping.  

It was this spiritual snake oil that led the Galatians to fall prey to legalism and self-salvation, which is NO salvation at all!

The Galatians have clearly come to see Paul as their enemy thanks to the false teachers.  The apostle wants to know how telling them the truth about Jesus makes him their spiritual adversary.  The Greek word here is εχθρος/echthros.  

It means more than just an opponent playing for the other team.  This is more than simply agreeing to disagree.  There is hatred involved.  There is hostility involved.  

The Judaizers have stoked the flames of Galatian hatred toward the man they once loved so much.

Telling the truth does that.  That's why the people repeatedly rejected the prophets οφ God.  Who in the world wants to hear about how bad they are?  Who wants to hear about their own sin?  Who wants to hear about their need for a Savior?  

But the truth must be told.  People may not like it but how else will they ever know Jesus?  

We must remember to speak hard truth dripping in love (Eph 4:15).  

We must express the tough truth of our sinful situation while standing under the waterfall of God's grace (Jn 1:14). 

©2012

Jay Jennings

Haters Gonna Hate

“For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even in tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippians 3:18).

Ever watch a movie and wonder who the real bad guys are? There’s nothing like pulling for a particular character for most of the flick when suddenly they show you their true colors as the enemy. Wrestling fans call this a “heel turn.” Nothing gets the crowd going like an alleged good guy slamming his buddy over the head with a steel chair. But Paul makes it clear this happens in the church too. (Well, I don’t know about the steel chair part, but I’ve been to enough church business meetings to know it’s a distinct possibility!). The apostle writes to his friends back in Philippi how he’s been pointing out the bad guys for a long time. “For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even in tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ” (v18). While Jesus certainly has His haters, Paul’s heart breaks for them.

When it comes to Christ’s opponents (v18), it takes one to know one. It wasn’t too many years back that the Apostle Paul was known as the assassin Saul. He dedicated his life to wiping Jesus’ followers off the face of the earth. If ever there’s someone who fits the M.O. as an enemy of the cross, it’s the Pharisee from Tarsus. That’s before the risen Jesus jumped him just outside Damascus (Acts 9:1-9). Christ takes this murderer and makes him His missionary. No wonder they call it “amazing grace!” Because of his background, Paul has a special talent to sniff out Christ’s opponents when others can’t. But his heart isn’t filled with hate for them, but breaks for them.

Since being blindsided by the resurrected Christ, the apostle spends every waking moment sharing the Good News with anyone who will listen. A big part of this work is pointing out false teachers. You see, there are teams of religious hucksters who like to roll into town just after Paul leaves to push their version of spiritual snake oil. It happened in Galatia. It happened in Colossae. They’re headed for Ephesus and probably Philippi. The apostle has made it a regular part of his mission warn believers about these goobers, “of whom I have often told you” (v18). This isn’t the first the Philippians have heard about them. Unlike the surprise twist in a movie, they’re not caught off guard when those who seem to be the good guys go bad. 

Are there more mature believers who have the ability of giving you a similar scouting report? Do you have friends, teachers, or mentors who can sniff out false teachers? Jesus called them wolves disguised as sheep (Mt 7:15). They look good. They sound good. But they’re just weaseling they’re way deep into your heart and your church before they make their heel turn. Do listen to the warnings from others about “enemies of the cross” (v18)? Maybe God has given you Gospel goggles that allow you to spot false teachers and troublemakers. Let’s be careful not to go rogue and start pointing fingers without getting godly counsel. But Jesus’ adversaries must be revealed and exposed. How do you recognize them? Good question. Does their message line up perfectly with the grace God has revealed in Scripture? Do they spread a false gospel of self-salvation? Do you have to work your tail off to gain God’s approval by rule-following and religious ritual? If so, avoid that garbage like medical waste. 

Paul’s reaction to these “enemies of the cross of Christ” (v18) isn’t what I would expect. He uses the Greek word echthros, which literally means a hater. And you thought “haters gonna hate” was some hip, urban slang. Sorry, bro, it’s been around for a couple of thousand years. The apostle says these particular haters are full animosity for all that Jesus has done on our behalf. His perfect life. His substitutionary death. His resurrection. Instead of getting himself all worked up and angry, he can’t help but feel sorry for them. Paul talks about them “even with tears” (v18). It makes you wonder if there were tear stains on the original letter. He uses a term (Gr. klaio) that means to weep out loud. It’s how Matt describes his buddy Peter after denying the Savior (Mt 26:75). When Paul thinks about Christ’s enemies, he doesn’t have a quiet cry. He sobs LOUDLY! Yeah, this is NOT a pretty cry. 

A couple of interesting points from Paul’s weeping and wailing. What’s your reaction to those who openly and actively oppose Jesus and His church? First of all, take a lesson from the apostle. He understands these are “enemies of the cross of Christ” (v18) and not personal archenemies. (Seriously, does anybody other than a superhero REALLY have an archenemy? If that’s you, it’s time to come out of the Bat Cave.) I don’t have to tell you more and more folks are setting their sites on the followers of Jesus. I’m not saying we don’t deserve our share of criticism but most hate directed at believers is actually meant for Jesus. You’re an easy target simply because of the One in whom you’ve placed your trust. Call it collateral damage. 

Second, is your gut reaction to tell everyone to grab a pitchfork and a torch? Remember, it’s God’s job to judge and punish. It’s one thing to point out false teachers and their counterfeit gospel. It’s another thing altogether to assemble the mob to serve as judge, jury, and executioner. Instead, let your heart break for those who don’t know Jesus. The old saying is certainly correct. Hurt people hurt people. There’s a pretty good chance those attacking Jesus and His church have the been on the business end of abuse as well. And it may have been from people who had the gall to call themselves Christians. And there’s that pesky little command from our Savior to love your enemy (Mt 5:44). So put down the pitchfork. Extinguish the torch. See what happens when you put them on the receiving end of the same grace Jesus extended to you.

Finally, we need to always remember every last one of us was a rebel against God’s kingdom. “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds” (Col 1:21). But out of nowhere, Christ came to our rescue. “For while we were enemies (Gr. echthros), we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, we are saved by His life” (Rom 5:10). We have something in common with these “enemies of the cross of Christ” (v18). We are ALL enemies without Jesus! Let’s face it, before Christ came to our rescue, we were rebels without a clue. Don’t get so cocky. Instead believing we’re so much better than God’s enemies, remember we’re just beggars who’ve figured out where to get the Bread! Haters are certainly gonna hate. But we’d be standing right there with them if it wasn’t for Jesus!

Haters Gonna Hate

“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another” (Titus 3:3).

“Haters gonna hate.” This little three-word ditty is everywhere. Folks drop it to justify themselves when they believe other people are putting them down. Other times, our friends try to encourage us when we’re being criticized by reassuring us. What else would we expect from those losers? Haters gonna hate. The dissenters will inevitably abhor. But you might be surprised that you find this idea in Bible. Yup, two thousand years ago, our man Paul wrote about this very same notion to his buddy Titus. But instead of getting cocky and thinking we’re hot stuff, the apostle used it to remind us of where we’ve been. We were fools. We were rebels. We were easily duped. We were all about doing what feels good. We were bullies. We were haters. We were hateful. In other words, haters gonna hate. And haters gonna be hated.

As he tells Titus what’s in the curriculum of teaching Cretans how to be Christ followers, Paul makes sure history is one of the classes. Every believer needs to know our own history before Jesus jumped in and saved us. Don’t forget who we were and what we were before God came to our rescue. It’s critical to know who Jesus is and what He’s done for us. He lived the spotless and perfect life that I totally failed to live. He died a cruel and brutal death for my sin that I totally should have died. He rose to a glorious new life that I totally do not deserve. But I also need to where I was before God got involved in my life. I need to know where I would be if God left me on my own. Let’s take a quick look, shall we? Fool. Rebel. Dupe. Slave. Bully. Hater. Sheesh, no wonder folks hated me. I’m pretty sure I would hate me too.

Let’s take a little walk down Memory Lane and get a little closer look at who we used to be. First of all, we were “once foolish” (v3). We didn’t have a clue of what to do. We didn’t think things through. In other words, I was a knucklehead and a moron. Folks would watch what I would do and sit back and shake their heads. We were “disobedient” (v3). Nobody was going to tell me what to do. You’re not the boss of me! We were “easily led astray” (v3). I was an easy mark for the latest con. Before Jesus rescued us, we were “slaves to various passions and pleasures” (v3). I did what wanted, when I wanted, with whom I wanted, with what I wanted. Damn the consequences. I lived for the right here and right now. I thought I was in complete control of my life when in fact my glands and my ego were running the joint. We were “passing our days in malice and envy” (v3). My hobby was meanness. I looked for trouble. And when you look for trouble, it always finds you. 

Here at the end of this history lesson, Paul lists the detestable dynamic duo. We used to be “hated by others and hating one another” (v3). When we see “hated” in the ESV, the apostle actually writes stugnetos, which means despicable, reprehensible, and loathsome. Before Jesus, I could play the title role in “Despicable Me.” Let’s face it, if I fit the previous description of being a fool, rebel, dupe, slave, and bully, that really is somebody that’s easy to hate. And if that’s not enough, we’re haters. We’re hated and we hate. We return the favor. This is the the Greek verb miseo. It describes detesting something or someone with hostility. It’s hate that does something. Jesus says that when we’re hated, we shouldn’t hate back. “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate (Gr. miseo) you” (Lk 6:27). Haters gonna hate. But our Savior is gonna save. Christ saves us when we were still haters (Rom 5:8). As a result what He’s done for us, we the hated and hating should now forgive and love. Stop worrying about retribution. Stop plotting the Big Payback. Haters gonna hate. But the former hated and hating should forgive and love. Forgiven gonna forgive. Loved gonna love.

We all need a history lesson. We all need to know where we come from. We all need to remember where we would be without Jesus. Otherwise, haters gonna hate. 

Trash Talk

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice (Eph 4:31).

Paul continues to let his friends in Ephesus know what this new life of following Jesus looks like.  Big changes happen when God miraculously transforms us from the Walking Dead to now being “alive together with Christ” (Eph 2:1, 5).  He explains what it means to take off our nasty old wardrobe of sin and raid Jesus’ closet of righteousness (Eph 4:22-24).  He specifically drills down on how we stop letting our mouths be rotten sewers of “corrupt talk” (Eph 4:29).  The apostle tells us in no uncertain terms the kind of stuff we must stop saying.  “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice” (v31).  In other words, stop the hate speech.  End the trash talk.  Stop the smack.

The apostle begins by closing loopholes.  “Let ALL bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with ALL malice” (v31, emphasis added).  “All.”  “All” means “all” and that’s “all” that all means.  Every last bit of it.  Not some of it.  Not a hint of it.  All of it.  Now that we know there’s a zero tolerance for it, what exactly is Paul talking about?  

We’ll get to that but let’s back up just a second.  Earlier, Paul said that it’s OK to be angry over what angers God but we must NOT sin (Eph 4:26).  Clearly you can be angry and not bitter.  It’s when I stoke the fires of my anger instead of putting it out before the end of the day that I get myself in big trouble.  If not, this is the result.  Bitterness.  Wrath.  Anger.  Clamor.  Slander.  Malice.

Smack.  Hate speech.  Trash talk.  

First in the list is “bitterness” (v31).  This is the Greek noun pikria, which describes a hostile attitude, a state of sharp and intense resentment or hate.  It’s a smoldering sentiment that explodes in a quick temper.  An attitude of trouble making.  This word originally meant a plant that produces poisonous fruit.  A bitter root that produces bitter fruit.  This is not a bad mood from having a bad day.  This is deep.  This goes down to the very core of who we are.  The writer of Hebrews warns us to quickly yank out any “root of bitterness” that grows up between friends before it produces bitter fruit (Heb 12:15).  Each one of us is a producer of bitter fruit before Jesus gets ahold of us (Rom 3:14; Ps 107).

Do I harbor bitterness?  Is there something smoldering under the surface?  Is there a root of bitterness growing deep inside me?  Am I always cranky?   Am I continually in a bad mood?  Am I always on the edge?  That’s bitterness.  Yank it out.

Batting second is “wrath” (v31).  This is thumos.  The root of the term is all about heat.  A burning passion.  A boiling anger.  A hot temper.  This is fierceness, rage, angry outburst, fury or a sudden ferocity.  It’s a hair trigger passion in the moment.  An explosion.  Folks in Nazareth’s synagogue hit the roof when Jesus announced He was the long-awaited Messiah (Lk 4:28).  It can also describe what happens when our “slow to anger” God ultimately runs out of His supernatural patience.  Folks who reject Christ and His Gospel will be the target of God’s ferocity (Rom 2:8).

Do I lose my cool quickly?  Do I have a quick trigger?  Do I reach my boiling point in just a few seconds?  Do I explode at the slightest problem?  That would be wrath.  Toss it in the trash.

Next up in the list is “anger” (v31) or orge.  This describes a violent emotion and wrath with the point of vengeance.  Retribution.  Revenge.  The Godfather of Soul called it “The Big Payback.”  I’m gonna get my way and I don’t care who’s gonna get hurt.  But there’s one problem.  “The anger (Gr. orge) of man does not produce the righteous of God” (James 1:20).  And Paul told his buddy Tim that you can’t pray effectively when you’re angry at someone (1Tim 2:8).

Am I consumed with revenge?  Is paying back someone for hurting me at the top of my “to do” list?  Then I’ve got a problem.  Then I’m dealing with anger.  Not good.  Not good at all.  Once Jesus transforms me, I can let Him handle it.  That’s His job, not mine (Rom 12:19; Heb 10:30).

Batting cleanup is “clamor” (v31).  This doesn’t show up quietly.  The Greek noun krauge is all about yelling with a loud voice to get everyone’s attention.  This is screaming, shrieking and shouting.  When Aunt Lizzie realized her niece Mary was pregnant with God’s Son, she yelled for everyone to know (Lk 1:42).  When Jesus makes His big comeback, He’ll wipe away every tear and there will be no reason to scream for help (Rev 21:4).

Do I constantly shout for attention?  Am I continually yelling for the spotlight?  Do I have a deep need for everyone to pay attention to me and my wants?  That would be clamor.  God is transforming me into the image of His Son (Rom 8:28).  And when He was in His darkest hour, He kept quiet (Mt 26:62-63; 27:12-14; Jn 19:9; Acts 8:32).  Through the power of God’s Spirit living in me, I can keep quiet.

Next we read that we must put an end to “slander” (v31).  This is blasphemia.  Yup, that’s exactly what it means.  Evil speaking, abusive speech, profanity or insult.  This is speech meant to hurt another and ruin someone’s good name.  Defamation of character.  Talking trash.  Speaking smack.  About someone.  To someone.  Paul told Titus to teach the congregation in Crete not to trash anyone’s character and “to speak evil (Gr. blasphemia) of no one” (Titus 3:2).  It’s also the slandering God’s holy name (Rom 2:24).  Let’s face it.  If anyone doesn’t deserve to be thrown under the bus, it’s completely righteous and perfect God.  Despite that, hecklers trash talked Jesus on the cross as He suffered (Mt 27:39).

And just in case he missed something, Paul closes all the loopholes.  On top of everything else, put a stop to “all malice” (v31).  The apostle uses kakia.  This is pure evil.  It’s the desire to injure, hostility, wickedness and hatefulness.  An attitude that is not ashamed to break the law in order to bring the pain.  This seems to be a junk drawer term that covers everything you might think is not covered in the previous list.  Just in case you thought you escaped the earlier sins, this one leaves no doubt.  Paul admits that he was just like everyone else before meeting Jesus.  “We  ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice (Gr. kakia) and envy, hated by others and hating one another (Titus 3:3).  Jesus’ little brother Jim also made sure his readers disposed of this rank junk.  “Put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness (Gr. kakia) and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save souls” (James 1:21).

In the companion letter to the Colossian church, Paul used many of these very same words to give a very similar command.  “But now you must put them away: anger (Gr. orge), wrath (Gr. thumos), malice (Gr. kakia), slander (Gr. blasphemia) and obscene talk from your mouth” (Col 3:8).  Because of what Jesus has done for us and is doing in us, we can stop the smack talk.  Why?  Because this kind of trash talk will “grieve the Holy Spirit of God” (Eph 4:30).  And it builds no one up.  It only tears down.  It tears down their reputation.  It tears down their spirit.  

Stop the smack.  Stuff a sock in the hate speech.  Can the trash talk.

As always, I would love your thoughts, comments and input.  It's pretty darn easy.  Just post something below!