Gal. 4:8-10 - Why Are You Turning Back?

8 However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods.
9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?
10 You observe days and months and seasons and years.

You Were Slaves!

Vs. 8 - “However... when you did not know God” - Before you knew and understood Jesus Christ - that He is the ONLY CHOICE you have to be saved (Acts 4:11,12) - you may have known of God, but you did not know Him. Remember, Christianity is not a system. Christianity is faith in a Person. (See: John 8:19; 10:15, 38; 14:7; 17:25).

- “You were slaves” - Paul moves our thoughts from being slaves to sin to being slaves to those who teach you. There is a saying “Knowledge is power.” Those who teach false doctrines have power over you. Paul is saying that ignorance of Jesus Christ is death. False doctrines are keeping you ignorant of the truth. You are slaves of your ignorance. In this case you are slaves to those teaching and leading you away from the true Gospel. These people are not God. More than that, these false teachers are not even gods. They are slave masters, under the influence of Satan. If you continue on this path, Satan will be your ultimate slave master.

Vs. 9 - “Or rather to be known by God” - This does not mean that God does not know who you are and what you have done; and when you accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, all of a sudden He knows you. In Colossians, we are called “alienated and hostile in mind” and therefore enemies of God as long as we reject Jesus. (Col. 1:21). John tells us “he who believes in the Son has eternal life”, otherwise the “the wrath of God remains on him.” (John 3:36) At the end of time all people will be judged. If they are not listed in book of life their destination is Hell (Lake of Fire. See: Rev. 20-11-15) Either we are His children, or we are not. If we are not, He does not acknowledge us as His children.
That sounds like double-talk. It is not. For example, if you go to a college football game. You are allowed in the stadium, and have a seat there because you have purchased a ticket. When you enter, you can get a stamp on the back of your hand. That stamp allows you to leave the stadium, and then return. You are allowed back in because they recognize you as a paying customer. (Don’t try to stretch this example too far.) Christ has paid the price, not you! When you accept Christ as Lord and Savior, you are identified as His. (See: Rev. 3:5; 14:1; 22:4.)

- “How is it you turn back...” - You cannot earn your way into God’s presence. If you know this, why are you letting yourselves be bamboozled? Following the Law cannot save you. Paul’s statement is astounding - the Law is weak and worthless. Not only the Law, but all other systems of works are useless, therefore weak and worthless. This is not a rhetorical question (“Kinda makes you say, ‘Hmmmmmm’.” - from The Smothers Brother’s Show). This is deadly serious. You have been taught the way to God, and now you are turning your back on that gift. Why? In Jesus’ name, Why? This is the way of death.

Vs. 10 - “You observe...” - Proof that they have turned away? They are honoring the holy days, etc. This is different than Christians celebrating Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, and Pentecost. Celebrating Christmas and Easter does not mean you are a Christian, nor does it save you. Outside of the church, Christmas and Easter have no meaning. Trees, ornaments, presents, bunnies and eggs have little to do with the faith. Going to church twice a year and thinking that should keep God mollified is delusional. Paul is talking about the modern term ‘virtue signaling’ - espousing without actions. Making a show of religion without the substance of faith and belief. Going to church EVERY Sunday, and being involved in activities is not the answer either.

A case in point:

I had accepted Christ as a youngster, but had drifted away in college. My wife had committed her life to Christ while in college. When we married, we agreed that church was important, so we were faithful worshippers wherever we lived. Having grown up going to church, I thought I knew what I was doing. (1 Cor. 8:2 comes to mind here.) I taught children’s Sunday School. I was involved, but actually I was going through the motions. It could be classified as “all head knowledge.” When missionaries stopped by the church to tell how Christ was working in their lives, I quietly scoffed, thinking they just wanted money.
My wife talked me into going to Explo ‘72 in Dallas, Texas which was put on by Campus Crusade for Christ. She had come to Christ through the witness of a CCC worker. She was impressed by the faith of that person and group. I went begrudgingly, to keep her happy, because I knew I had the answers. They couldn’t tell anything I didn’t already know. It turns out I was wrong, so very wrong! That time in Dallas, the ministry and teaching of Bill Bright and Howard Ball hit me like a thunderclap. I realized that I had been going through the motions. I was not committed to Jesus as Lord and Savior. I was not living my life for Him, nor in the power of the Holy Spirit. There in Dallas in June 1972 I committed my life to Jesus - confessed my sins, repented, and asked Him to come into my life. I was no longer playing at church, but living by the power of the Holy Spirit. I had been just like the Galatians, observing days and tasks and activities, but devoid of saving faith.
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