Saturday, October 3, 2026

Scripture

“My little children, for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you …” Galatians 4:19

Reflections

When you see other people, what comes to mind?  If a person does not know Jesus, do you think of them as a horrible non-Christian?  If a person claims to be a Christian and yet isn’t a great model of the faith, do you think of them as a bad hypocrite?

The Apostle Paul saw potential for something wonderful and good.  He used the metaphor of pregnancy and childbearing.  A pregnant woman is one of the best images of hope and promise for something wonderful and good.  A new creation is about to come into existence.  The Apostle Paul could see that potential in the people of Galatia.  God could bring about something beautiful through them.

But the Apostle Paul was also in pain.  The pain was so great that he likened it to childbirth.  He saw the potential in the people of Galatia, but the potential had not been realized.  They were following in the ways of the law, not grace.  How incredibly painful and sad!  It was a “miscarriage” of something wonderful.

When we let go of the grace of God and cling to legalism, we ask for trouble, a grave miscarriage of God’s good creation.  Let us not forget that a wonderful life of promise and hope can be ours.  It’s not too late for the grace and life of Christ to be formed in us.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for a life of grace and promise that comes to me simply by trusting in you and following in your ways.  May your presence be formed in me.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Full Reading: Galatians 4:12-20