Galatians 4:12-14 Be a Witness in Whatever the Circumstances, For this could be an Opportunity for the Gospel

Galatians 4:12-14 I beg you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong; but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.

When Paul first went to the Galatians to preach to them the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he became as they are. They are Gentiles, while Paul is a Jew. Paul made it his point not to let his culture and lifestyle be a barrier to the Gospel. Paul was free in Christ by faith. However, he says “I have made myself a slave to all [peoples—Jews or Gentiles], so that I may win more.” He lived under the Law when it was necessary to get him a hearing and hearts for the gospel and he lived as the Gentiles do (though not in sinfulness, but in obedience to Christ to love God and his neighbor). “I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it” (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). This is true of his dealings with the Galatians. Paul lived among them as they do, but in the compassion of Christ, so that they might listen carefully, consider, and properly understand the gospel.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let Paul be your example for witnessing to unbelievers. Do not force upon them rules which you have set for themselves or make them read the Bible in the translation you prefer. Get into their lives. Do things with them they enjoy doing; yet do not compromise your witness. If they are taking part in such things as drinking parties, sexual promiscuity, idol worship, etc, kindly tell them that you will not participate, but you will join them when they go and watch a movie, go to McDonalds, or go paintballing (for examples). Show them that you care about them as people and it is their lifestyle that you disapprove of, not them personally. This will give you an open door and an open ear for the gospel (unless of course God has closed their ears to the gospel, but never go in expecting this). The Galatians had accepted Paul graciously, even in his ill state, as most people will accept Christians in America. So use this as an opportunity for the gospel.

Paul was ill when he was in Galatia, and in fact this is why he was there. This was his God-given opportunity to preach the gospel to them. In fact, seeing his compassion for them, they accepted him just as if he was an angel—even as if he was Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world (though it is not the main thrust of the text, this does show that Jesus is not merely an angel, as Hebrews 1 makes clear, but that He is greater than the angels). Brothers and sisters, do not despise troubles when they come your way. Consider them joy! Take every opportunity you get to share the gospel. Perhaps you, Mrs. High School Graduate, were not accepted at the University you really desired to attend. Do not grumble and complain. Perhaps God has you at that school to be a witness for the gospel. And you, Mr. Has-to-work-during-his-vacation, perhaps God will open doors for the gospel that week for you to share with your coworkers. And you, Mr. Cancer-patient, though you are sick and your experience is very unpleasant (you do not need to make people think you enjoy having cancer), perhaps you will be the witness to the doctors and nurses who take care of you. Consider these temporal inhibitions as opportunities from God to gain for yourself eternal riches. Consider this an opportunity for Christ to extend His arm through you to pull one more sinner from the fiery depths of Hell.